STAAR Test goes digital, gives students fewer multiple choice questions

The test’s official online home comes after the Texas Legislature enacted a bill in 2021, which requires state testing to be administered online for this school year, according to a TEA fact sheet. In conjunction with the law, the state moved to redesign the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test for the 2022-23 school year. However, those taking the STAAR Alternative 2 assessment will not take it online.  

What’s different about the STAAR Test this year?

After introducing standalone writing assignments for fourth and seventh graders for the 2021-2022 school year, the new test will eliminate that particular element and will add evidence-based writing to the reading and language arts portion of the test for those in third through eighth grade.

The test will also add more non-multiple choice questions to pick up on questions asked in the classroom. CW 39 in Houston reported that no more than 75% of points can come from multiple choice questions. A redesign trailer posted by TEA shows new question types such as diagrams and map selections.

What’s the benefit of the STAAR Test going online?

The online environment allows students to receive testing accommodations similar to those they get in a classroom setting. Having the test online will also allow for faster tester results so educators can make adjustments to their accelerated learning plans based on testing outcomes. Educators can start seeing preliminary results for certain exam subjects in certain grades on May 12.

When do students take the STAAR Test?

Students in third through eighth grade will start taking the STAAR Test on April 18 through April 28 with reading and language arts. Science, social studies take place April 25 through May 5 followed by mathematics on May 2 through May 12.

For more information on the online STAAR Test or practice materials visit tea.texas.gov.