STAAR Test
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December 5, 2011 • Angie Ballesteros & Victoria Cruz
Filed under Community, News, Top Stories
Students have become so accustomed to the TAKS. They are used to having the whole day to take the test. They are used to the easy to understand content found on the TAKS. But now all of that will change because of the STAAR.
STAAR stands for State Test Assessments of Academic Readiness. Beginning with this year’s freshmen class the students have four hours to complete each test and it will also count for 15% of a student’s grade.
The test was changed because they wanted to give the students a more rigorous test. Here are many changes students will have to get accustomed to. For example, instead of taking benchmarks, students everywhere around Texas will now be taking CBA’s (Curriculum Based Assessment)
A 9th grade student, who has already taken the CBA, had a few words to say. “I don’t think the CBA’s were that difficult,” said Roma Salazar. “They are very similar to the benchmarks; the only thing is that I don’t understand why people are freaking out about the STAAR test. It’s the same thing as the TAKS, it’s just different criteria.”
“It’s kind of hard being the first ones to take the STAAR test because there is more expected of us, but I’m still very confident about it,” said Roma. “My teachers hardly talk about the STAAR, but when they do they always stress how much more difficult it will be from the TAKS.”’ Eric Pequeno, a 9th grade student, has taken the CBA test and says, “It is hard because I did not study for the test. “The STAAR Test is hard because it has more advanced material than the CBA Test” says Eric.
“I don’t know what to expect out of it,” said Eric. “We are getting harder work to prepare for the test, what makes it even worse is that my teachers hardly mention it.”
Students aren’t the only ones freaking out about the test. Teachers everywhere are worrying for their students. “We’ve had to change many of our lesson plans. The test is going to be more rigorous with deeper focus and we have to get students accustomed to it,” said Diane Butcher.
“I really hope I can get my students ready for the test,” said Mrs. Butcher. “There are a lot of changes, like how it will be timed and we have to get the students ready for that. The one thing I like about the STAAR is that it will be focusing on specific subjects. Like instead of math it will be algebra 1.” “And, like instead of reading it will be English, spelling, and composition.” said Diane Butcher.
Beatrice Solis, freshmen English teacher, had opinions on the test. “I am scared for my students because they will be taught the same curriculum and the same content, “said Mrs. Solis “The CBA’s should follow the same format for the STARR, they should be equally rigorous and need lots of material into it,” said Mrs. Solis.
The STAAR test is going to take a toll on teachers and students everywhere. This is the first year it will be administrated. The state of Texas has turned the TAKS into a more rigorous, timed test known as the STAAR.
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