Assessment and Accountability
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Donald Tosh, Director of Assessment and Accountability
The academic evaluation of Bandera ISD students serves as an instructional measure for district and campus level leaders to collect, analyze, and report evaluation results. These tasks help to support the district’s data-driven decision making process, and allows for the targeted planning of effective classroom instruction. Mission
The Mission of the Office of Assessment and Accountability is to support the students and staff of the Bandera Independent School District through accurate test administration, data collection, evaluation, dissemination, and planning for the meaningful and continuous academic improvement of Bandera ISD students.
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A - F Accountability
The 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 22, establishing three domains for measuring the academic performance of districts and campuses: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Beginning this year, districts will receive a rating of A, B, C, D, or F for overall performance, as well as for performance in each domain. Campuses will receive A–F ratings beginning in August 2019.
https://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=51539624674
What is STAAR?
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is the accountability program which measures academic growth of Texas Public School Students. The individual assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which comprise the state curriculum standards. Students will begin academic assessment in grade 3 and continue through high school graduation. Students will be assessed in the core subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Who takes STAAR?
All students in grades 3 through 12 are required by the State of Texas to participate in STAAR.
How many STAAR tests are there each year for High School?
In order to graduate from a Texas public high school, students must pass five End of Course exams.
- Grades 9 - 12 : English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History
How many STAAR exams are there each year for Elementary and Middle School?
- Grade 3 : Reading, Mathematics
- Grade 4 : Reading, Mathematics, Writing
- Grade 5 : Reading, Mathematics, Science
- Grade 6 : Reading, Mathematics
- Grade 7 : Reading, Mathematics, Writing
- Grade 8 : Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
How will STAAR be administered?
STAAR assessments are administered in paper and online formats. Students are allotted four hours to complete each exam - except for the English I and English II EOC exam which allow a five hour time limit. Students with individual education plans receiving special services such as Special Education or Section 504 will receive the local education agency (LEA) committee approved administration determined in the annual meeting. Students receiving special accommodations will receive the STAAR approved accommodations determined by the LEA in the student’s annual meeting.
How many days will be devoted to STAAR assessments each year?
Most Bandera ISD students in grades 3-12 will spend two to four days out of the instructional year participating in STAAR exams. Bandera ISD campuses follow the state’s assessment calendar, and conduct testing on the designated dates as required.
Where can I find out more information about STAAR?
The most current information available can be found on the Texas Education Agency website at www.rea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/.
STAAR Resources