The STAAR Extended Response question is the most difficult question on the STAAR Reading Test. Additionally, it is worth 10 points! That right, it is equivalent to 10 multiple-choice questions. Many teachers wonder, “What can I do to increase my students’ STAAR Reading Extended Response Score?”
It’s not a simple answer, and there is no easy solution.
In fact, there are several steps when increasing your students’ STAAR Extended Response scores.
Check out my blog post ⭐ Introducing STAAR Constructed Response to get tips on introducing the STAAR ECR to your whole class.
Once your class is familiar with the STAAR Reading ECR question, you’re ready to begin.
Let me break it down:
Writing Small Groups
First, you need to divide your students into two groups. The first group of students is those who have no idea what they are doing! They consistently get a 0, 1, or 2 on their ECR practice essays, or they received that score on last year’s test. These students’ goal for the ECR is to get a 4 or 5 on their response.
Therefore, these students are going to need different instruction than the second group of students that you have in your class. The second group of students is your higher writers. Those who score a 4, 5, or 6 on their extended constructed responses. To determine your groups, be sure to look at your practice questions or last year’s STAAR responses.
On the other hand, the goal for the higher writers in your classroom is to get a 7, 8, 9, or even a 10!
START with the BASICS
The first group of students you are working with needs to start with the basics. There is no reason to go on and try to extend their writing until they have conquered the basics of extended constructed response writing.
Teaching specific STAAR Reading ECR Strategies is KEY! Use my Extended Constructed Response STAAR Reading Strategies resource to make this EASY!
To begin, students need to identify the question and be sure they are answering it. They can start with their claim. Teach your students how to use the question to form the claim. Then they will include one reason that supports the claim and evidence that supports that reason. Finally, they conclude. This will be easy if they restate their original claim in the conclusion.
To break it down: Claim, Reason, Evidence, Conclusion
What else should be included to get a 4, 5, or 6?
Transition words, correct spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Do NOT focus on how long the response is. There is no set length needed to score a 4, 5, or 6 as long as the question is answered.
GETTING a Higher SCORE
Now, let’s move on to your higher students. These students already know the BASICS. They can easily score a 4, 5, or 6 on their extended constructed response. Now they need to be pushed to score a 7, 8, 9, or 10.
A well-organized essay is still important, but now they must add more!
Similarly, students will start with an original claim (not just restating the question). Transition words are a MUST!
Then, as students form their response, they must include authentic thinking and specific evidence from the selection, making note exactly where they found it in the passage.
Finally, the conclusion on a 7,8, 9, or 10 response is not just restating ideas already stated. It must be an original thought pulling everything together.
In addition to repeated practice, it is important to expose students to writing that is scoring a 7, 8, 9, or 10.
Extended Response STAAR essays can be found on the TEA website.
Also, a helpful resource: STAAR Extended Response Practice. Students can practice writing and scoring STAAR stemmed ECR questions.
Putting it ALL Together
As you can see, increasing your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students’ ECR scores isn’t impossible. However, it will take time and effort on everyone’s part.
Displaying a STAAR Extended Response Visual Rubric is important for your students to constantly SEE what different essays scores look like.
Consistency is KEY to increasing the score of your students’ STAAR Reading Extended Response scores.
For more information on STAAR Reading Strategies, check out my blog posts:
⭐ Step by Step Guide on Preparing Your Students for STAAR Reading
