Parent's Corner

The Student Assessment Department at United ISD plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students receive the appropriate evaluations to support their academic growth. We are responsible for managing and overseeing a wide range of assessments, including both locally developed tests and state-mandated exams. These assessments include the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), STAAR Alternate 2 for students with significant cognitive disabilities, TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System), TELPAS Alternate, Interim assessments, Benchmarks, Stand Alone Field Testing, TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0), and NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress).

In addition to administering these tests, our department also trains district personnel on the policies and procedures related to student assessments. This ensures that all staff members are well-prepared to support students throughout the testing process, maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the assessments.

We are also committed to providing exceptional customer service to everyone we serve, including students, parents, and staff. Our goal is to ensure a positive experience for all involved while supporting students’ academic success and adhering to all state and local requirements.

Important Links

What Families Should Know About State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR ) ® 

Federal and state laws require that all students participate in a summative assessment, STAAR. Although state law provides families with the right to temporarily remove their child from a class or school activity if they have an objection to participation, it specifically does not allow families to do so to avoid a test/assessment. 

Your child’s participation in STAAR matters. Your child’s STAAR score reflects how well the school is doing its job of providing your child with the quality education they deserve. STAAR scores also factor into the school’s performance ratings. Students who do not take STAAR earn a score of zero, and their school will be required to provide them with additional support. 

STAAR is not a high-stakes test for students. 

• Recent changes in Texas law have eliminated student-level promotion consequences associated with STAAR. 

•  Other assessments, such as PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP, or TSIA may be used to satisfy graduation requirements in place of STAAR end-of-course assessments.

STAAR provides families information to understand and support their child’s learning. 

• All STAAR test questions and answers are made available so families and teachers can work together to better support student learning of specific skills. 

• The Family Portal, available at TexasAssessment.gov, gives families even more information, including tips for how to support learning at home. 

STAAR has been redesigned in the 2022–23 school year to better align with classroom instruction. 

• More than 600 educators and 200 students have provided input to ensure STAAR better reflects the classroom experience. 

• Ninety-two percent of educators who reviewed the STAAR redesign said the new types of questions will allow students to better demonstrate their knowledge. 

Testing helps in several important ways:

1. Measures Academic Progress:  Testing provides a clear picture of your child’s academic strengths and areas for improvement. It helps track their progress over time and ensures they are meeting key learning milestones.

2. Identifies Learning Needs:  By pinpointing specific areas where a student may struggle, testing allows educators to tailor instruction and resources to meet each child's unique needs, offering targeted interventions and support.

3. Informs Instruction:  Teachers use test results to adjust their teaching strategies, ensuring that they are addressing the needs of all students in the classroom. This helps create a more effective and personalized learning experience.

4. Ensures Accountability:  State testing holds schools and districts accountable for providing a high-quality education. It ensures that all students, regardless of background, are receiving the same standard of education and are on track for future success.

5. Prepares for Future Opportunities:  Regular assessments help students develop test-taking skills and resilience, preparing them for future academic and career opportunities where testing may be required.

Participating in state testing is an important part of ensuring your child’s academic success and overall development.

While we respect every parent's choice, we strongly encourage participation in state testing, as it plays a vital role in tracking your child's academic progress and ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed. We encourage you to reach out to your child's campus for more information before making a decision to have your child not participate in any state-required testing. If, after reviewing all the information about the benefits and importance of state testing, you still wish for your child to not participate in state testing, you can click here to submit your request to the United ISD Student Assessment Department.