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Students in grades 3-12 at Texas public schools must take the STAAR tests every year. These tests cover a wide range of subjects, from math to reading and writing, and indicate whether a student is meeting academic performance standards. So clearly, these exams are pretty important!

One of the very best ways to prepare for them is to take an official STAAR released test or a high-quality STAAR practice test created by a good test-prep company. We'll provide you with the best resources for STAAR practice tests here and go over essential tips for using them.

Briefly: What Is STAAR?

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is a statewide testing system that consists of a suite of various standardized tests administered to students at Texas public primary and secondary schools.

There are many different types of STAAR tests that vary depending on the subject and grade level. Here are all the tests students are required to take in each grade:

• Grades 3-8: Reading, Mathematics
• Grades 4 and 7: Writing
• Grades 5 and 8: Science
• Grade 8: Social Studies
• High School (Grades 9-12): Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, US History (might also have to take Algebra II and English III, depending on the school district)

Students in grades 5 and 8 must pass their grade's reading and math tests in order to proceed to the next grade (6 and 9, respectively). They get three chances to pass in early April, mid-May, and late June.

Those in high school must pass five subject-specific end-of-course (EOC) exams at some point in grades 9-12 in order to graduate and earn their high school diploma . Each exam is supposed to be taken once the student has completed the corresponding high school course. Students have three chances every year to take or retake any of these exams in the fall, spring, and summer.

In order to pass a STAAR test, you must earn the performance level "Approaches Grade Level" or higher . Here are all four performance levels , from highest to lowest:

• Masters Grade Level (pass)
• Meets Grade Level (pass)
• Approaches Grade Level (pass)
• Did Not Meet Grade Level (fail)

Your STAAR Report Card will tell you whether you passed your STAAR test(s).

4 Top Resources for STAAR Practice Tests

One way to ensure you pass your STAAR test is to take an official STAAR released test or a STAAR practice test. These can help you get used to the content and structure of the real test so you can gauge your progress and see which areas are giving you the most trouble.

What's also great is that you can take them any time in the comfort of your own home !

Here, we introduce the four best resources you can use to find quality STAAR practice tests.

Official STAAR Released Tests

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), which administers and runs STAAR, is the go-to source for high-quality STAAR released tests. These free and official tests were all previously administered to students , giving you the most realistic practice possible. You will also get answer keys and answer explanations.

TEA offers links to full practice tests from all previous testing years (2013-2019), as well as smaller sets of sample questions and different versions of the test in an online computer format, Spanish, an oral format, and Braille (which you can order). You can access all of these STAAR released tests here at TEA .

Here are some quick links for the most recent version of each STAAR released test (from 2019, unless otherwise noted):

• Math Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• Reading Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Math Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Writing Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Science Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• Writing Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Reading Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Social Studies | Answer Key | Answer Explanations

High School (9th Grade-12th Grade)

• Algebra I Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• English I Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• English II Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• 2018 Biology Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations
• US History Test | Answer Key | Answer Explanations

Unofficial STAAR Practice Tests

While official STAAR released tests are the gold standard when it comes to STAAR test prep, good-quality unofficial STAAR practice tests and practice questions are also available should you need additional prep .

You can use these to supplement the official STAAR released tests above and as resources for test-taking strategies and quick practice drills.

Union Test Prep

Cost: Free!

Union Test Prep is a big name in test prep but shines in its offerings of free STAAR practice tests for high school students. It offers short 20-question practice tests for all five high school EOC exams:

Each STAAR practice test here is given via computer, which is helpful if you plan to take your STAAR test on a computer (all STAAR exams are available in both paper and computer formats).

With every STAAR practice test, you can view the correct answer after you answer a question. While this feature isn't particularly helpful for those who want to mimic real testing conditions, it's useful if you're just testing yourself for overall content knowledge .

The system lets you guess again if you get a question wrong, without revealing the correct answer right away. Every correct answer includes a short answer explanation that, while not very detailed, is mildly helpful in giving you a basic idea of how to come up with the correct solution.

One con is that each STAAR practice test here only has 20 questions in total , so they're not full-length tests.

Another con is that this site only has a STAAR practice test for each high school EOC exam and not for any elementary or middle school tests. Still, it's a solid resource to use in your STAAR prep!

Mometrix STAAR Prep Books

Cost: Varies with each book, but usually $20-$30

If you're looking for more than just STAAR practice tests and questions, a top prep book with proven strategies and tips can be a great choice. Mometrix, a renowned test-prep company, offers two different series of highly-rated STAAR study guides for all grades and test subjects:

• Mometrix Secrets Study Guide series
• Mometrix STAAR Success Strategies workbook series

The Success Strategies series is more question-based, whereas the Secrets Study Guide books are geared more toward students who want to review specific content and learn strategies.

Each book contains many STAAR practice questions, but no full-length STAAR practice test. Question quality is hit and miss, with some reviewers commenting that they were too easy or not worded as accurately as they could have been.

On the positive side, though, all the answer explanations are extremely detailed , which is really helpful if you don't know a certain topic that well. In addition, the test-taking tips and strategies are excellent at giving students, especially the younger ones, more confidence for exam day.

Overall, while I wouldn't spend tons of money on these books, it's worth it to pick up one or two for the subject that's giving you (or your child) the most trouble.

TestPrep-Online

Cost: $49 per pack

If you've got a child in 3rd or 4th grade, TestPrep-Online offers two STAAR study packs you can buy, one for each grade level. Each pack comes with the following:

• One full-length math STAAR practice test
• One full-length reading STAAR practice test
• One full-length writing STAAR practice test (4th grade only)
• Multiple "enrichment tests" with practice questions for all topics
• Comprehensive subject-specific study guides
• Complete solution for a real TEA STAAR released test

Both study packs are highly reviewed by parents who claim that their students benefited greatly from being able to take accurate practice tests and learn a variety of useful test-taking tips.

Though the price is a bit steep, if your child needs a lot of structure and has little to no confidence in their reading, math, and/or writing abilities, then you might consider investing in a STAAR study pack as a way to help them gain the confidence they need to do well.

Obviously, one major con of this resource is that there are just two packs available (one for 3rd grade and one for 4th grade) . But it's certainly possible more will be added in the future, so keep an eye on this site if you're interested.

Making the Most of Your STAAR Practice Test: 4 Key Tips

Whether you're using a STAAR released test from TEA or a STAAR practice test developed by a test-prep company, you'll want to heed these four tips when you take it so that you'll give yourself the most accurate sense of how you're performing.

#1: Find a Quiet Environment

Before you take a STAAR practice test, make sure you have a quiet place to practice, where nobody will bother or interrupt you. This is important because you'll eventually be taking the actual STAAR test in a quiet, monitored classroom or computer lab (depending on whether you're taking the test on paper or on a computer).

As a result, you should take care to mimic these testing conditions as closely as possible . The fewer distractions you have around you, the more accurate your STAAR practice test scores will be.

#2: Use Realistic Time Limits

As you take your STAAR practice test or STAAR released test, make sure to use real time limits so you're not getting way too much (or way too little) time in your practice session.

Here are the official time limits for the STAAR test s, according to TEA:

• Grade 3-5 Exams: Recommended two hours, four-hour maximum
• Grade 6-8 Exams: Recommended three hours, four-hour maximum
• High School EOC Exams: Four-hour maximum for all except English I, English II, and English III, which each have a five-hour maximum

Breaks are allowed and are typically decided on by the school administering the STAAR test. Try to finish your STAAR practice test within the recommended time frame. But if you can't, it's OK to keep going, as long as you don't exceed four hours (or five hours for the English EOC exams).

#3: Determine Whether You Passed

Once you've finished taking your STAAR practice test, use the test's answer key to calculate your score and determine whether you passed (i.e., achieved a score in the "Approaches Grade Level" range or higher).

For an official STAAR released test, you can use that test's raw score conversion table to calculate your score and performance level. Unofficial STAAR practice tests might not be clear about which scores fall into this range, so go ahead and use official raw score conversions to give yourself your best guess .

Be aware that raw score conversions vary slightly with each administration due to differences in the content and difficulty of the tests, so the exact score needed to pass will not be consistent.

#4: Figure Out Your Weaknesses and Target Them in Your Prep

After you've finished calculating your score, it's time to go over the answer explanations so you can see whether there's any pattern in the mistakes you made .

For example, maybe you (or your child) kept using the wrong approach on math division questions. Or maybe you missed several questions asking about World War II on a US History practice test.

Being able to identify the patterns in your wrong answers will allow you to see what you need to focus on more in your prep so that you do better on those same types of questions on the actual STAAR test.

What's Next?

Want to learn more about the STAAR test program? Then check out our in-depth guide to what STAAR is all about, which tests you need to take, and how to get your test results .

Other exams you'll need to take in high school include the SAT/ACT. Get expert tips in our top guides on how to get a perfect SAT score and how to get a perfect ACT score , both written by a real full scorer!

Looking for resources to help you get a great score on the SAT or ACT? We've got you covered with our collections of the best SAT practice tests and ACT practice tests .

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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STAAR Test Essay Structure: Unleash Your Inner Wordsmith!

• December 21, 2023

Tackling STAAR Test's English essays may seem like a monumental task, almost like scaling the literary Everest, but you need not worry! This comprehensive guide is your seasoned guide, leading you through the intricate steps toward essay mastery. Together, we will dissect the essay structure, unravel the art of brilliance, and enrich your writing with a vocabulary that sings. Bid adieu to writer's block as you prepare to unleash your inner wordsmith and claim the spotlight on the STAAR Test stage – the journey is yours to own!  

Take STAAR Scholarship Test Now!

Understanding the Essence of STAAR Test Essay Structure

Before starting the journey we must understand that structure that defines STAAR Test English essays . The standard essay structure comprises an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let's explore each section to unlock the secrets of crafting a compelling essay. 

• Introduction: Setting the Scene The introduction acts as the opening act of your essay, establishing the tone and introducing the central theme. Commence with a hook – a magnetic sentence designed to captivate the reader's attention. Following the hook, provide context and culminate with a crystal-clear thesis statement that outlines the main point or argument of your essay. 
• Body Paragraphs: Crafting the Narrative The body paragraphs form the core of your essay, where ideas flourish, and evidence strengthens your thesis. Each paragraph should center on a single idea or point, commencing with a topic sentence that introduces the central concept. support this with supplementary details, examples, or quotes that bolster your argument. Ensure seamless transitions between paragraphs to maintain a cohesive flow. 
• Conclusion: The Artsy Finale The conclusion serves as your essay's grand finale, bringing all elements together and leaving an indelible impression. Recapitulate your main points without introducing novel information. Conclude with a resounding closing statement that reinforces your thesis and leaves the reader with something substantial to ponder. 

Formulas for Success 

While creativity remains the soul of essay writing, having a formulaic approach can provide a robust scaffold for your ideas. Consider the following blueprint as your guide through the process: 

• Prewriting: Cultivating Ideas Before putting down your thoughts onto paper, invest time in brainstorming ideas. Write down key points, relevant examples, and any thoughts related to your essay topic. This stage allows you to organize your thoughts and chart the course for your essay. 
• Introduction: Capturing attentionInitiate your essay with a compelling hook that captivates the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a pertinent quote, or a rhetorical question. Following the hook, provide context and conclude with a robust thesis statement that outlines your stance or argument. 
• Body Paragraphs: Nurturing IdeasStart with a topic sentence that introduces the concept, followed by supporting details, examples, or evidence. Leverage transitional words for a seamless flow between paragraphs. 
• Conclusion: The Grand Finale Summarize your vital points in the conclusion without introducing fresh information. Conclude with a poignant closing statement that leaves a lasting imprint. Consider the broader implications of your argument or provide a call to action for the reader. 

Enriching Your Vocabulary

A rich and varied vocabulary can elevate your writing to new heights. Here are some tips to amplify your linguistic prowess:

• Diverse Reading: Expose yourself to a diverse array of literature. Books, articles, and essays from different genres and periods can introduce you to new words and expressions. 
• Vocabulary Journal: Maintain a journal to record unfamiliar words and their meanings. Challenge yourself to incorporate these words into your writing, reinforcing your understanding and usage. 
• A Verbal Journey: Utilize a thesaurus to discover synonyms and antonyms for common words. This not only diversifies your vocabulary but also empowers you to choose the most fitting words for your intended tone. 
• Linguistic Exploration: This practice not only sharpens your understanding of their meanings but also allows you to wield them in an adept manner using your writing. 

Unleashing Your Inner Wordsmith

Now that we've explored the structural foundations, formulaic brilliance, and vocabulary enhancements, it's time to unleash your inner wordsmith. Here are additional tips to amplify your writing prowess: 

• Practice Till You Succeed: Writing is a skill that comes with practice. Dedicate time to writing exercises, essays, and creative pieces to refine your craft. 
• The Art of Receiving Feedback:   Share your writing with peers, teachers, or mentors, and welcome constructive feedback. Understanding areas for improvement is pivotal for growth as a writer. 
• Revise, Edit, and Finalize: The first draft is just the beginning. Invest time in revising and editing your essay. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure that your ideas flow logically and that your language is precise. 
• Embrace Creativity: While structure and formula is important, so is creativity. Employ metaphors, similes, and vivid imagery to make your essay memorable.

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Mastering STAAR Test's English essays is an attainable feat with the right strategies and mindset. By comprehending the essay structure, embracing a formulaic approach, enriching your vocabulary, and practicing consistently, you can evolve into a wordsmith extraordinaire.

As you embark on this literary journey, remember that every word you pen is a brushstroke on the canvas of your expression. Unleash your creativity, embrace the writing process, and let your essays resonate on the STAAR Test stage! 

As a parent, we understand you are mindful of the critical importance of quality English Language Education for your child. 98thPercentile is here to help your child succeed!

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STAAR Writing Test Mastery: A Parent’s Guide to Preparation

When your child is aged 9 to 13, The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness looms large in their lives. And naturally so, as it assesses how ready they are to move to the next level in the education system.

The assessment is also significant in the parents’ or guardians’ lives. Children might struggle to prepare for the assessment on their own, so naturally, helping them prepare is going to fall on your shoulders.

However, that is more easily said than done. Especially if it is some time since you sat in a classroom or it’s your first time putting a child through the education system.

So if your child struggles with writing, or you just want to make sure they get the best grade they can, read on. We provide more information on the STAAR assessments and resources you can use to help your child prepare.

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Table of Contents

What is tested in the STAAR Writing Assessment?

From grades 3 to 8, children must take the reading test. In grades 4 and 7, they must also do the writing test. Other subjects are added to the list as students move forward in the grades.

The STAAR writing tests are challenging.

Students are tested on their knowledge of the mechanics of the English language.

They can expect to be tested on:

• Punctuation
• Capitalization

They are also asked to write two types of essays:

• An expository essay
• A persuasive essay

In the expository essay, they have to investigate an idea, discuss the evidence for it, and set forth an argument for the idea.

In the persuasive essay, they have to persuade the reader to accept a point of view through their use of rhetorical language and supporting points.

For a twelve-year-old 7th grader, writing these demanding essays may present less of a challenge than it does for the nine-year-old at grade 4. However, the bar is considerably higher at this level in terms of the language they should to use.

The tests vary in difficulty level between the two grades, but things they have in common are:

• Writing the composition
• Revising it

For a child to reach the standards expected, a lot of preparation is required. Inevitably, given the child’s age in each grade, enforcing study falls on the parent or guardian.

How can I help my child prepare for the STAAR Writing Test?

Helping your child prepare for any exam is demanding. You need to become familiar with the exam and find the best resources to help you.

You also find yourself combining the roles of caregiver and educator. However, when you can gain access to the tools required, your job becomes easier.

Reaching out to an examinations preparation company that helps children prepare for school examinations is your best course of action. They are familiar with the tests and have the know-how to approach them.

For children preparing for the STAAR assessments, we recommend using the services of Test Prep Online , a reputable test preparation company with many years of experience in helping children prepare for school tests. Using their services, you get accurate information and exam preparation materials.

Their materials come in a test prep pack containing sample test papers modeled on the real tests, helpful explanations for questions and answers, and a method to check your child’s scores as they work through the tests.

The materials provide practice writing tests modeled on the real thing so they can become familiar with the format and feel calm and prepared.

What else is tested in STAAR tests?

Reading tests increase in difficulty level as your child progresses through the grades.

Students are assessed on material that plays an important role in preparing them for the work at the next grade level. Hence the term “Academic Readiness.”

Reading tests assess their abilities in understanding the plot of a text, deciding on the central meaning of the text, and their understanding of the literary genre. To do well in the test, children need to have a wide vocabulary and analyze a text.

How is the STAAR Writing test scored?

To move on to the next grade, students have to score above Level 11 Performance Level in the test. If the child fails the first time, they get two more chances to pass the STAAR tests.

How can I help my child with the STAAR Writing Test?

Here are some things you can do in your day-to-day life with your child.

Encourage the child to read from a variety of age-appropriate books. Challenge them by introducing them to more difficult books as their reading improves.

Libraries are great places for this information. Bring them with you or on a visit to a bookstore.

Practice reading

Reading regularly will increase the child’s vocabulary.

Children are curious so expect to be bombarded with questions about the meaning of words. Better still, equip them with a dictionary written for their age group.

Increased vocabulary and familiarity with the written word will make them more comfortable writing.

Write down vocabulary

Another useful tactic is to encourage them to keep a notebook for new words and meanings. If they are willing, encourage them to incorporate those words into their conversation or use them in some written work.

Similarly, you know how easily children mimic what they hear adults saying. You will hear the words you use when talking to your child replicated in how they might talk to you.

Ask them to do some written work for you. They could perhaps write about a topic that interests them or keep a diary. Encourage them to ask you about the words they are using or look at their grammar and spelling.

4th graders, in particular, will benefit from having you check over their written work as their test asks them to correct written pieces in a range of multiple-choice questions.

Don’t be afraid to suggest how they might change some of the vocabulary they use.

Encourage them to use their vocabulary notebook as a resource when writing. You could play a game to see who can find the most words to describe something they see or feel.

How do I get my child exam-ready?

Being a parent, you recognize the importance of not allowing exam preparation to eat into too much of the child’s free time or to cancel out activities they enjoy.

The following points should make the process easier:

• It is important to set up a preparation timetable that allows the child to continue to have fun and avoids the build-up of resentment against anything school-related.
• Start the preparation work as early as you can. It will reduce the stress levels if you allow more time to prepare and avoid the panic that comes with a last-minute rush.

Sample papers

Use the sample papers that come with the test prep pack.

• They will let you know what precisely your child is being tested on and give you and your child the confidence of knowing that the child is preparing using material that mirrors the real exam.
• This will give the child the confidence of knowing that nothing surprising will be waiting for them in the real test.
• It will train the child to work within the time allowed for the test, which will benefit them when doing the real test and the many more tests that await them in the future.
• The scoring system that comes with the tests also allows you to monitor the child’s progress from test to test.
• Keeping an eye on the scores will alert you to any difficulties your child may have and allow you to resolve the problems at an early point.
• With each test the child completes, they will gain confidence. Encourage them to compete with themself to increase their scores. Children rise to challenges, and the prospect of doing better than they did in the last test should motivate them to continue preparing.

Support them

Keep an eye out for signs of stress.

For young children embarking on the school testing level can at first be exciting. Suddenly they’re part of the group who do tests.

However, the magic can soon wear off, and they may become anxious as they see the challenge that lies ahead. Unfortunately, children won’t always tell you when they are anxious. This situation will make you combine the roles of caregiver and educator.

Your best option is to pre-empt stress-related problems:

• Ensure the child is getting adequate sleep and good nutrition. Regular breaks out of doors and fresh air also go a long way to keeping them relaxed and healthy and aids learning. A healthy mind in a healthy body is especially relevant for people preparing for tests.
• While you are helping them prepare, make it fun. Children learn best when they are enjoying themselves. Working on finding the correct answers to questions can be turned into a game between you and the child. A game that the child, of course, wins.
• Build in a reward system for the child and try not to limit the reward system to correct answers. A good effort is just as deserving of a reward as is the free time they are giving up for preparation.

You will, no doubt, be greeted with remarks along the line of, “My friend’s mother does it like this.” The most important approach here is to realize children are different, especially when it comes to learning.

What works for one may not for another.

The day before the STAAR Writing Test

The day before the tests begin should ideally be given up to some rest and relaxation. The temptation is to keep on working but a child will find it difficult to learn anything new prior to the test.

A free day is a better guarantee of good test performance than any last-minute cramming.

The child needs to approach the tests well-rested and clear-headed. Fresh air, reassurances that they have done the work, and an early night will help the child capitalize on all the work they have done.

Note: Access the individual STAAR test study guides, by clicking on the links below.

The STAAR Test Day

Test day can be demanding, so to make it a little easier, try the following tips:

• Prepare everything the child needs the night before.
• A solid breakfast will go a long way towards helping the child get through the day.
• Ensure you arrive at the school early.
• If allowed, ensure the child has snacks and a drink to consume during the exam and is wearing comfortable clothing.

After the test

When you pick the child up after the test, make sure you bring a reward, this time for having done the test.

You will want to give them the recognition they deserve for having overcome one of the big challenges of their young lives.

If you have a child preparing for the STAAR , you will find all the resources you need to help you here .

Recommended Reading

• What Grade Do You Actually Need to Pass The STAAR Tests?

Written by Elizabeth O Mahony

With 25+ years’ experience as a teacher and state examinations corrector, Elizabeth now writes for the education and careers industry. Her experience preparing students for examinations and running an academy for supplementary education give her invaluable insights into what it takes for job seekers and graduates to succeed in assessments.

Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.

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• Feb 13, 2020

STAAR Writing: 4th and 7th Grade Essay Practice Strategies

Within the next few months, students across the state of Texas will be taking the STAAR test. Teachers usually review relevant information in class and conduct practice sessions, but because kids typically don’t have as much experience writing essays, the essay portion of the 4th and 7th grade STAAR tests can present unique challenges. Today, I’ll discuss how to practice writing for the STAAR test and also how to generally practice writing with younger students.

The STAAR test for 4th grade and 7th grade requires that students compose an expository essay within 26 lines. To clarify, essay “genres” fall into a two main categories:

Expository = informative (you are describing facts)

​Ex: Textbook article, newspaper report, description of a person, how-to guide

Argumentative = persuasive (you are trying to convince someone to think or act a certain way)

Ex: Book review, newspaper opinion piece

The STAAR test is somewhat strange in that you often are presenting your opinion but you are not necessarily trying to persuade the reader to agree with you. You often are describing “the best invention” or “what makes a good friend.”

At any rate, the best method for studying the STAAR essay outside of school involves three steps:

1. Gather sample materials from the STAAR website from past exams.

The STAAR website offers great resources for understanding the basics of the test. You can see last year’s exam and several before that. These exams include the prompt as well as scored responses and grader feedback. So you can see what kind of essay generally scores a 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Before getting too far with practicing the writing itself, I like to have younger students see samples of good writing. First, we will read a past year’s official prompt and brainstorm how we would respond. Then, we keep in mind our brainstorming and review the 4-scoring essays. With those samples, I will explain the different parts of the essay, such as the thesis statement, topic sentences, the examples, and the commentary. The goal here is to provide a “model” of good writing.

During the modeling stage, you don’t necessarily need to go through each and every test. Reviewing the most recently released test should work well since there are multiple examples for each score.

2. Practice writing paragraphs and short essays that include all the essential parts.

Younger students are going to struggle a lot with writing the basic structure of paragraphs and essays. To keep things simple, I like to break down a paragraph as follows:

TOPIC SENTENCE - a broad statement of the key idea of the paragraph

TRANSITION/CLAIM - a more specific statement that introduces evidence

EVIDENCE - a specific example that supports the claim/topic

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS - an explanation of how the evidence supports the claim/topic

CONCLUSION - a statement that reiterates the main point of the paragraph

Not every paragraph needs to include all of these elements, but for the sake of practicing strong paragraphs, it is best to get students in the habit of including all of these parts. Often, younger students will write about 3 out of 5 pieces, usually forgetting to include a topic sentence and a conclusion.

For basic practice, I have students practice writing simple paragraphs, responding to prompts like “What is the best way to serve a tennis ball?” or “Describe your favorite class at school.” I recommend that they write at least once a day for 30 minutes to an hour. At this point, the information itself does not need to be perfect (and there will most likely be spelling and grammar errors); again, writing the structure correctly is the goal.

3. Once the structure is consistently correct, then focus on refining the content.

With practice, the student should be able to more consistently produce the structure of a paragraph and also a multiple-paragraph essay. Then you can start focusing on improving the content within the paragraph. (Of course, you can still guide the student on content before this stage.)

Usually students struggle with clarity in expressing their ideas and including examples that support their topic sentences and claims. Often, younger students rely too much on vague pronouns or phrasing that doesn’t precisely explain an idea or situation. Sometimes this lack of clarity happens because what they are describing is too abstract or the example is too complicated to explain. So you may need to help them brainstorm, too, if the content proves too tricky to write about.

When reviewing the essays during this stage, try to pinpoint areas in the student’s writing that leave you wondering what exactly they meant. Ask the student if they can clarify. Also, demonstrate and work together to come up with an improvement so they can see the process firsthand. I like to type up what the student has written and then break the essay down into parts, revealing what the student needs to improve.

Final Thoughts

Through this three-step process you should be able to more systematically help younger students with writing paragraphs and essays. Once you have done practice for a few weeks, you can then “benchmark” the progress by handing out another official STAAR essay prompt and having the student write a response. After reviewing, you can once again look at sample essays and compare, determining the student’s score and what to focus on for future practice.

Preparing for the STAAR test? Need help on the writing section -- or maybe just need writing help in general? Our tutors can assess your student’s weaknesses and help them build their skills for the test and beyond!

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Tea gives more information on staar essay machine scoring after spike in zeros, concerns from school leaders.

After a series of headlines about STAAR machine scoring and concerns from school leaders, the Texas Education Agency is offering more information to districts. Educators say there wasn’t enough advance notice about the changes. 

After a spike in the number of students scoring a zero on STAAR writing questions and widespread concern from public school leaders about the shift to automated scoring this year, the Texas Education Agency is offering more information about the changes to the state's standardized test.

The agency said district testing coordinators will have "the opportunity to receive additional information about (student writing) that received a score of zero" if they contact the agency before Wednesday, March 13. In the message to testing coordinators , the TEA credited "educator inquiries about this first use of the hybrid scoring model."

Automated scoring is the latest change in a complete overhaul of the state's standardized test. Student composition scores plummeted after the STAAR 2.0 test was introduced last school year, even when writing was still graded by humans.

Over the past few weeks, school leaders have sounded the alarm about the shift to machine scoring for student writing this school year. They argued the automated scoring system has led to even lower scores, and they've criticized what they see as a lack of advance notice from the TEA.

"No one knew this was happening," said H.D. Chambers with the Texas School Alliance, which represents about 50 large public school districts. "The education field wasn’t told. There was no ‘Heads up, hey, this is happening,' and so it was just kind of discovered."

TEA officials have pushed back on that framing.

"For some reason, it's being portrayed as a quiet implementation," said assessment division director Jose Rios. "We did communicate during the fall (of 2023) to several stakeholders. We personally communicated this to all district testing coordinators in the fall during our big training that we call the kickoff of the year."

How does the new scoring model work?

The TEA changed a lot about the STAAR last school year when the test shifted entirely online. The STAAR 2.0 revamp marked the end of the separate writing exam in 4th and 7th grade; instead, writing is now included at every grade level.

The writing prompts are also different. Before last year, students generally wrote self-reflective responses to open-ended prompts, like "Write about the best teacher you know."

Now, students are asked to read passages, and then write a response to more narrow questions. The new grading rubrics are more stringent, making it more likely for a student response to score a zero. For example, a technically correct answer could earn a zero if it "lacks an introduction and conclusion" or "an organizational structure is not evident."

Even before the introduction of automated scoring this year, those changes contributed to a dramatic spike in the number of students scoring a zero for writing questions last year. Before the STAAR 2.0 revamp, 5% or less of students typically scored a zero on constructed writing responses. When students took the test in the spring of last year, more than 40% of third and fourth-graders across the state scored a zero, along with more than 20% of students in middle school and high school.

This school year brought another change — automated scoring for most student writing , first reported by the Dallas Morning News .

The early results from the December 2023 testing window have led to tension between school leaders and the TEA.

"We noticed, comparing those scores to ... when it was scored the old way, that the automated scoring engine was grading them much more difficult," Chambers said.

As Chris Rozunick with the TEA pointed out, the December testing window included many high schoolers who were "retesting" because they previously failed the exam. She also emphasized the sweeping changes to the writing prompts and grading rubrics.

"That more than anything else is driving up the zeros, particularly in December where you see a slightly larger retest population — kids who have tried the test and not passed," Rozunick said.

Back in spring 2023 — before the introduction of automated scoring — 25% of high schoolers scored a zero on writing compositions. Nineteen percent of first-time testers scored a 0, and 50% of retesters scored a 0.

Automated scoring was rolled out for the first time earlier this school year. For high schoolers who took the STAAR in December, almost 70% scored a 0 on the English I composition and almost 80% on English II. For first-time testers, more than 40% scored a zero, compared to more than 70% for retesters.

The TEA insists that machine scoring is in line with human grading.

"We’re confident in our results," Rozunick said. "We continue to look at things, you know, as they’re raised, and we haven’t seen any red flags to date."

When did the TEA actually announce automated scoring?

School leaders have argued the TEA did not provide enough advance notice about the shift to machine scoring.

"The concern with the specific issue of a machine scoring writing isn’t the true act of the machine scoring it, it’s more of the way it’s rolled out," Chambers said. "The reason that’s such a concern is because the stakes are so high with the accountability system."

STAAR results play a major role in the TEA's A through F accountability system, which assigns campuses and districts a letter grade based on student test scores and post-graduation readiness. The TEA revamped the accountability system last year. More than 100 school districts across the state sued the TEA over the changes, temporarily blocking the release of more stringent ratings.

In the eyes of Chambers, the machine scoring and A through F revamp represent the same thing — the TEA "moving the goalposts in the middle of the game."

A TEA spokesperson pointed to a state legislative hearing in August 2022 as the first time automated scoring was made public. Education Commissioner Mike Morath presented updates on standardized assessments to the House Public Education Committee. During his more than an hour-long presentation, he mentioned automation once.

"We are exploring cost-savings everywhere we can," Morath told lawmakers. "So, automation is a big way to save costs. If, for some reason, people don’t like automation, then we have to un-automate, which will cost you more money just to stay the course.”

According to the last slide of his presentation , "full human scoring" would cost up to $20 million more per year.

The agency spokesperson also pointed to training for testing coordinators in September 2023, presentations to "various stakeholder groups" in November, and the release of the " scoring process documents " in December.

According to the March 1 message from the TEA , district testing coordinators who contact the agency before March 13 will have the opportunity to view student responses that earned a 0 in December, but they won't be able to see the actual test questions or explanations of the grading rubrics "due to test security requirements."

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Essay questions for STAAR tests to be graded by computers in Texas

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Michael Minasi / KUT News

The Scantron – or something like it – has long been a normal part of standardized tests. Feeding answer sheets into a scanner is faster than grading by hand.  

Computers aren’t just evaluating multiple choice questions in Texas, however. Now, most of the essay questions on the state’s required assessments will also be graded by a machine , rather than a person.

Talia Richman , reporter for the Dallas Morning News’ education lab, spoke to the Texas Standard about the change.  

This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity:

Texas Standard: I think most of us are familiar with the little bubbles – make sure the bubble is completely covered with your pencil and all that. How is this automated essay grading system supposed to work?

Talia Richman:  Yeah, the Texas Education Agency built what they’re calling automated scoring engines that have been trained based on how humans score essays to replicate that faster, more efficiently. That’s important because the STAAR test this year includes more essays at every grade level. That would take humans a very long time, cost a lot more money.

So they’re thinking these computers that have been trained by humans can do it faster – and, they think, just as well.

Computers trained by humans. Do I smell AI somewhere here?

The agency is quick to say this is not the same as the generative AI that programs things like ChatGPT, but, you know, a pretty narrow tool with those capabilities. Each engine is trained to score one question, and they say it can’t do anything beyond that.

I’m a little confused, though, given that essays are such a subjective thing. 

The agency says that each engine looks at thousands of previous essays, and they are able to pick up, based on the rubric that’s established, what makes a good essay. These are supposed to pull from evidence and text and, you know, synthesize ideas.

They say that they scored all of last spring’s essays that were graded by humans again using the computers and that it was a similar distribution.

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But I’ve always thought that, in a way, essays were an opportunity for people who might not do well on standardized tests where you have objective answers. With an essay there’s a whole lot more creativity, or certainly room for creativity, involved. And I think a lot of students approach these essays with that in mind, and it gives them an opportunity to sort of flex those creative muscles. Will humans have any role in this process?

So these engines are also trained to detect anomalies. So if they’re seeing something that seems really creatively done or is an unexpected length, they’ll reroute those essays kind of acknowledging like, “hey, I’m a computer, I don’t think I can grade this right,” towards a human scorer who will look at it.

Millions of kids take the STAAR every year, and about 25% of these written answers are going to get routed towards humans to make sure that there are some people eyes on these essays still.

Apparently other states have made a similar change to their standardized tests. How’s that gone?

Yeah, Texas is not totally alone here. What’s interesting is Ohio made this change several years ago kind of quietly in the same way that the agency did here in Texas. But what bubbled up is that some districts noticed an irregular number of zeros that their students had scored on essays. And that kind of prompted those Ohio educators to ask questions.

And something similar is happening here, where a large number of high schoolers scored zeros during the recent STAAR test on their those essay questions. You know, the agency is saying that’s not because of the computerized scoring, but definitely district officials want to know more about why so many students scored zeros – way more than have in the past.

Because, you know, these these STAAR tests, these scores are very important. The schools are graded by the state largely based on how well their students perform on standardized tests. So the stakes feel high to get this right.

They do indeed. And I just want to make sure I understand something: Are these computers already being used to score essays in Texas?

Yes, they were used for the first time in the latest iteration, the December 2023.

And as you mentioned, there are some who are saying, well, there are too many zeros here. What else have you been hearing from local school administrators and teachers, or what are the concerns?

I think a big thing is transparency. They wish that they’d been more involved in the process, had an opportunity to ask more of these technical questions. I think that they are in the process of of demanding answers now.

I think that they wish, you know, given some of the difficult history with technology that STAAR’s had in the past, that they’ve been really brought in on the front end of this.

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