TAKS Information

Transition From TAKS To STAAR

The new STAAR assessments will be designed to be more difficult than TAKS.

The difficulty level will be increased by:

• having more questions per test
• measuring a higher level of thinking in relation to content skills
• having more items where students will have to write in responses rather than selecting a response from those provided
• focusing more deeply on content taught during the current year rather than testing knowledge and skills learned over multiple years
• measuring for college and career success

 Readiness Standards:

Readiness standards have the following characteristics:

• They are essential for success in the current grade or course.
• They are important for preparedness for the next grade or course.
• They support college and career readiness.
• They necessitate in-depth instruction.
• They address broad and deep ideas.

Supporting Standards:

Supporting standards have the following characteristics:

• Although introduced in the current grade or course, they may be emphasized in a subsequent year.
• Although reinforced in the current grade or course, they may be emphasized in a previous year.
• They play a role in preparing students for the next grade or course but not a central role.
• They address more narrowly defined ideas.

Process Standards:

In social studies, science, and mathematics, process skills will be assessed in context, not in isolation, allowing for a more integrated and authentic assessment of these content areas.

Process standards are noted in the TEKS as:

• Underlying Processes and Mathematical Tools
• Scientific Investigation and Reasoning Skills
• Social Studies Skills