Texas teachers are extremely curious about the changes made to the STAAR test for the 2022-2023 school year. The STAAR redesign includes several parts.
Teachers across Texas find the changes to the STAAR test slightly overwhelming. However, there is no need to be worried. Understanding the changes will help ease your mind. Plus, it will help you prepare your students for the test.
Here is a breakdown of the changes on that appear on the STAAR redesign this year:
Testing Online
All students will be testing online this year. It is important for students to slow down while testing and use scratch paper to work out problems or plan their writing responses.
Additionally, the students get to use a variety of online testing tools including a highlighter, line reader, dictionary, flag, pen, notepad, and more.
One opportunity to practice is with the online practice tests released from TEA. These tests give students the chance to practice the different test questions and use the online tools.
Finally, students will be typing their responses on the STAAR redesigned test.
Therefore, it is necessary for students to improve their typing skills. One resource I have found helpful is a free typing website that will help students to learn to type correctly.
No Time Limit
Students will not be required to complete their STAAR tests within the four hour time frame.
Students will have all day to complete the test.
Although TEA stated that the test should take most students about three hours to complete. Students who work a little slower will not have to rush. They will get the opportunity to finish the test.
Passage Types and Points
The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade reading STAAR test will include:
Reading Section- 2 single passages and a paired passage. There will be a total of 24-26 multiple and non-multiple choice items.
Writing Section- 2 revising and 2 editing passages and an extended constructed response question for a total of 15-17 points.
Field Test- 1 additional passage (reading, revising, or editing) with 6 multiple choice and non multiple choice items
New Question Types
There are several new question types that students will see on the STAAR redesign test.
First, worth the most points is the extended constructed response. Students will respond to a question about one of the reading passages. Then they will support their answer with evidence from the passage. This question will be worth a total of 5 points: 3 for the idea development and 2 for the language conventions.
Also, there are several non multiple choice questions. No more than 75% of the test can be multiple choice questions. Therefore, new questions will be on the test (but not necessarily all of these questions will appear).
– Inline choice– students will select the correct choice from a drop down menu
– Multiselect– students will select more than one correct answer
– Hot text– students will highlight evidence in the passage
– Multipart– students will respond to a 2 part question
– Short Constructed Response– students will answer the question with one to two sentences. They will include evidence to support their answers. However, conventions are not scored on these responses. They are worth a total of 2 points.
Cross Curricular
Any passages included in the STAAR redesign test that are not literary will be represented by the grade level TEKS in other subject areas. Most topics will come from science or social studies TEKS. However, other topics of passages could include fine arts, health, fitness, technology, and/or math.
Preparing Your Students
Starting early is key in helping students be prepared for the new STAAR redesign test.
It is important to incorporate the new question types into classroom assignments and assessments. Perhaps, the easiest way to do this is on a Google Form.
Additionally, students should practice the correct format to respond to the short answer questions. Plus, they must know how to find evidence from the reading to support their answer.
Revise and edit questions will be on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade STAAR reading test. Teaching grammar rules early is necessary, so students can practice revise and edit question stems.
My Revise and Edit Strategies blog post will explain the specific strategies that will help your students with these questions.
My STAAR Reading Question Stems FREEBIE will give you a list of questions that you can ask in your reading lesson that will pertain to any text you may be reading with your class.
Other Helpful Blog Post over the STAAR Reading Test
Teach to the Test: How to Prepare Students for the STAAR Reading Test
STAAR Reading Test Taking Tips
5 Ways to Make Reading Passages Fun
5 Ways to Keep Students Engaged in Your STAAR Reading Review
