STAAR Overview

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program includes annual assessments for:

• Reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 

• Science in grades 5 and 8

• Social Studies in grade 8

• English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S. History End-of-Course (EOC) assessments

The STAAR testing program emphasizes the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) student expectations considered most important for success in the grade or course subject that follow and for college and career. The high school assessments are course based exams.

State assessments are timed. Students have four hours to complete each STAAR exam, except for the End-of-Course English I and II which both have a five hour time limit.

STAAR Performance Standards & Scoring

STAAR performance standards correspond levels of test performance to the expectations defined in the state-mandated curriculum standards, known at the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Scores established by TEA distinguish between performance levels. Those levels are used to place students into an appropriate performance category.