New test administration policies come with new STAAR program

With the new STAAR testing program to be imple-mented in spring 2012, test administration policies have been reevaluated and modified to ensure that they fit the new structure and purpose of the STAAR program. Highlights include:

Time limits
Both the STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments and grades 3-8 assessments will have a four-hour time limit, which will allow high school campuses to have two testing sessions within a given day, if desired.

Dictionairies and calculators
Dictionaries must be made available to all students taking the following STAAR tests: reading at grades 6-8, writing at grade 7, and English I, II, and III. Calculators must be available for all students taking STAAR Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, chemistry, physics and biology assessments. These policies will also apply to STAAR modified and STAAR L (linguistically accommodated).

Embedded reference materials
Reference materials (e.g., formula charts) for STAAR math and science assessments and graph paper for the STAAR math assessments will be included in test booklets. These materials will be printed on perforated pages that can be removed and used by students during the test administration.

Dyslexia accommodation
Dyslexia accommodations (currently limited to grades 3-8) will be expanded to include high school students with dyslexia and other similar reading disabilities.

Make-up testing
Make-up testing opportunities will be offered for all grades and subjects, including summer administrations (Note: this differs from what is indicated on the state testing calendar).

Updates and additional information are available on the TEA website at www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar.