Assessments

Texas State Assessment Program

The Texas State Assessment Program, administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), is designed to evaluate student achievement across various subjects and grade levels. The program includes several assessments tailored to meet the diverse needs of students in Texas:

STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness)

• Overview: STAAR is the primary assessment program for students in grades 3-12. It covers reading, mathematics, writing, science, and social studies, depending on the grade level.

•  Purpose: Measures students' mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and ensures they are on track for college and career readiness.

STAAR Alternate 2

• Overview: STAAR Alternate 2 is an alternative assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities who receive special education services.

• Purpose: Provides a way to assess these students' knowledge and skills in a manner appropriate to their abilities. The test is based on modified academic content aligned with the TEKS.

TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System):

• Overview: TELPAS assesses the English language proficiency of students who are English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12.

• Purpose: Evaluates progress in learning the English language across four domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. TELPAS helps schools tailor instruction to better meet the needs of EL students.

TELPAS Alternate:

• Overview: TELPAS Alternate is an assessment for English Learners with significant cognitive disabilities who cannot meaningfully participate in the standard TELPAS.

• Purpose: Assesses English language proficiency in a manner appropriate for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

STAAR Interim Assessments:

• Overview: STAAR Interim Assessments are optional assessments that schools can administer throughout the year. They provide teachers with timely data on students' progress toward mastering the TEKS.

• Purpose: Helps educators identify areas where students may need additional instruction before the STAAR tests, enabling targeted interventions.

Stand-Alone Field Testing:

• Overview: This involves testing new questions or test items to determine their validity, reliability, and fairness before they are included in the official STAAR assessments.

• Purpose: Ensures the quality of future STAAR exams by vetting questions in advance.

TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0)

The TSIA2 is a college readiness assessment that determines whether students are prepared for college-level coursework in reading, writing, and math. It is required for most Texas college students unless exempted by other standardized test scores.

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

The NAEP is a national assessment that measures student achievement in various subjects across the United States. It provides a national benchmark for academic performance, allowing for comparisons among states, including Texas.

Stand-Alone Field Testing

Stand-Alone Field Testing in Texas involves administering non-scored assessments to evaluate new test questions for future STAAR exams. These tests are given to selected students across the state and do not impact their grades or academic records. The purpose is to ensure the validity, fairness, and reliability of future STAAR questions before they are officially included in the assessments.