Heritage High School Community News
Volume 3: STAAR/ EOC Testing and Summer School
Heritage High School Community
One of the goals of the Heritage High School community is to provide clear and consistent communication regarding important policies, procedures, and beliefs. This newsletter is the third of four you will receive during the 2016 - 2017 school year.
What is STAAR?
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program, which was implemented in spring 2012, includes annual assessments for
- reading and mathematics, grades 3–8
- writing at grades 4 and 7
- science at grades 5 and 8
- social studies at grade 8
- end-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, biology and U.S history.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and Texas educators, developed the STAAR program in response to requirements set forth by the 80th and 81st Texas legislatures. STAAR is an assessment program designed to measure the extent to which students have learned and are able to apply the knowledge and skills defined in the state-mandated curriculum standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Students must pass (meet or exceed Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance) the five STAAR EOC assessments—Algebra I, English I, English II, biology, and U.S. history—in order to earn a high school diploma from a Texas public or charter school as required in TEC §39.025.
What are the testing dates this year?
How should I help my student prepare for testing?
General Ideas:
1. Get a good night sleep
2. Keep your morning routine
3. Eat a nutritious breakfast
4. Think positively
5. Answer the easiest questions first
6. Be sure to go back to those questions you skipped
For Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Read the question and all the answer choices before choosing an answer.
2. Use process of elimination for selecting your final answer.
3. Find key words or phrases in the question to help you choose the correct answer.
4. Do not change your answer unless you are uncertain about your 1st choice.
5. Answer every question.
Reading Passages:
1. Read the questions before reading the passage.
2. If there are several questions about a passage, look for context clues.
Math Questions:
1. Depending on the grade level of the test, your campus will provide a calculator.
2. Use scratch paper to work out problems.
3. Underline key words.
4. Eliminate wrong answer choices.
5. If your answer does match, reread and try solving again.
Science Questions:
1. Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
2. Use a calculator when needed.
Characteristics of a Good Writing Sample:
Good form/purpose match
Introduction and conclusion short but effective
Explicit thesis
Sustained focus
Economical use of space – tight, specific, logical development; no wasted words
Specific use of language and appropriate tone for purpose
Well crafted
Narrow and deep focus
Clear beginning, middle and end
Strong conventions
FEELING ANXIOUS?
Test preparation to reduce anxiety:
Get a good night’s sleep
Eat a nutritious breakfast
Approach the exam with confidence
Be prepared
Strive for a relaxed state of concentration
During the test:
Read the directions carefully
Budget your testing time
Adjust your posture to help you relax
Don’t panic when others finish
After the test:
Note the strategies that worked and keep them in mind
List your challenges in preparation for the next test
Celebrate that you are getting better at taking test
Performance Standards
For the general STAAR assessments, STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, and STAAR A, the labels for the performance categories are:
- Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
- Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
- Level I: Unsatisfactory
For the specific cut-off scores:
Please click HERE for the STAAR 3 - 8 Performance Standards
Please click HERE for the Alternate STAAR 3 - 8 Performance Standards
Please click HERE for the STAAR EOC Performance Standards
Please click HERE for the Alternate STAAR EOC Performance Standards
Are there sample questions my student can practice?
TEA has released selected test questions as well as administered test forms for all grades/subjects and courses. These questions can be found on the STAAR Released Test Questions HERE.
What are the Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements?
SSI, enacted by the Texas Legislature in 1999, is a system of supports for on-grade-level student achievement in mathematics and reading at grades 5 and 8. This system of supports includes early intervention activities, research-based instructional programs, targeted accelerated instruction, and multiple testing opportunities.
- pass (meet or exceed Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance) the STAAR grade 5 mathematics and reading tests to be promoted to sixth grade and
- pass (meet or exceed Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance) the STAAR grade 8 mathematics and reading tests to be promoted to ninth grade.
PSAT/NMSQT - Grades 10 and 11 (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholar-Ship Qualifying Test)
This test is administered in October each year. The PSAT/NMSQT gives students the unique opportunity to: assess their critical reading, writing, and mathematical skills; find out what the SAT is like; forecast SAT scores from their PSAT/NMSQT scores, compare forecasted SAT scores with the scores of college applicants; discover whether they would be successful in Advanced Placement courses; participate in the Student Search Service by having their names sent to colleges and government-sponsored scholarship programs that are seeking students like them; and to qualify for scholarship and enrichment programs that use PSAT/NMSQT results. It gives the student a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards program for: Merit Scholarships, Achievement Scholarships, and National Hispanic Scholar Awards.
SAT - Grades 7, 11 & 12 (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
The SAT is a multiple-choice test that measures critical reading, math, and writing abilities related to successful performance in college. SAT scores are intended to be used with the secondary school record and other information about the student in assessing readiness for college-level work. Student performance on the SAT is reported on a scale of 200 to 800, for verbal and for mathematics with a standard error of measurement of approximately 30 points. While the SAT is a college entrance exam, 7th grade students who have qualified for the Duke Talent Search may elect to participate in SAT testing.
- get a head start on college-level work,
- improve their writing skills and sharpen their problem-solving techniques,
- develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work, and
- study subjects in greater depth and detail.
PSAT, SAT, and AP Program Exams
Summer School Information
Elementary Summer School
Elementary Summer School dates include the following:
- Title 1 Summer School: Tuesday, June 6 - Friday, June 23 from 7:45AM - 10:45AM
- SSI Summer School: Tuesday, June 6 - Wednesday, June 21 from 8:00AM - 11:00AM
- LEP Summer School: Tuesday, June 6 - Friday, June 30 from 7:45AM - 3:45PM
Please check on the FISD website found HERE in April for more specific information.
Middle and High School Summer School
Middle and high school students will have the opportunity to take summer school courses for credit recovery and advancement during Summer 2017. This year, Frisco ISD will use an online curriculum to give students the flexibility to work at their own pace and from any location. Because no transportation is provided this summer, there will be two, centrally-located learning centers (one on each side of town) to house middle and high school summer school in an effort to provide convenient access with flexible hours for students who need face-to-face support or to take a final exam.
Most middle and high school students taking courses for credit recovery will use the Advanced Academics program which is currently being used at each high school campus and the Student Opportunity Center (SOC). It has been very successful in recovering credit for those students who need to retake a course. In some circumstances, another platform we currently used in FISD, PLATO, will be used for credit recovery as well.
Students who completed at least the 8th grade after the 2016 - 2017 school year will use either Advanced Academics or Central Texas College Online High School to take classes for advancement. A list of courses will be provided on the FISD Summer School website in April 2017.
Safeguards are in place to ensure student success. Each campus will provide subject-specific certified teachers to support students' academic needs. In addition, two staff members at each campus are responsible for following each student's progress and will communicate that progress to parents on a regular basis.
Please check on the FISD website found HERE in April for more specific information including dates, times, and course offerings.