STAAR Success: Parent Resources & Support

Helping Your Child Succeed on the STAAR Test
The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test is an important milestone in your child’s education. At Southwest Preparatory School, we want to ensure that parents have the tools and resources needed to support their child’s success.

Information for Parents About the STAAR Test:

Who? All public school students in Texas, grades 3–12, take STAAR tests.

What? STAAR is the state’s testing program and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

When? Grades 3–8 STAAR tests are given in the spring. End-of-course assessments (EOC) are given throughout the year. The number of tests your child takes each year will depend on what grade he or she is in. Most students will have two to four testing days during the school year.

Where? STAAR tests are given to students at their own school, in regular classrooms that have been set up to make it easy to focus on the test. If students have certain special needs and require special accommodations, they may be tested in a different area of the school.

Why? STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. The goal is to ensure that all students receive what they need to be academically successful. Meeting these individual student needs depends greatly on schools, parents, and community members working together.

Below, you’ll find helpful videos, study guides, and strategies to make test preparation easier and more effective.

How to Help Your Child Succeed on the STAAR Test

Understanding the STAAR Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a parent have the right to “opt-out” his/her child from STAAR testing?

No. The Texas Education Code makes clear that parents and students are unable to opt out of standardized tests or other state-issued assessments. For instance, Texas Education Code § 26.010 provides that a parent “is not entitled to remove the parent’s child from a class or other school activity to avoid a test” and that students cannot be exempt from “satisfying grade level or graduation requirements” set by the state or a local school system.

Moreover, Texas Education Code § 39.023 requires all students in designated grade levels to take the STAAR exam and any applicable End-of-Course assessments. As a result, Southwest Preparatory School District is unable to honor parent requests to opt a child out of participating in the STAAR exam or other state assessments.

What if my child misses school on a scheduled testing day?

Students who are absent on a scheduled testing date will be asked to sit for the assessment on scheduled make-up dates. The State of Texas requires schools to offer multiple opportunities for students to take state assessments, so absence on one testing date will not necessarily result in the student completely missing a testing opportunity.

Additionally, Southwest Preparatory School District expects students to attend school on all dates listed in our school calendar. We take attendance on state assessment days, and student absences will be counted as unexcused unless the reason for the absence qualifies as an excused absence under our Student Handbook or other school policy.

Similarly, a student may be considered truant under our state’s compulsory attendance laws if the student is absent on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.

Finally, a student who fails to attend class more than 90% of the days the class is offered may not receive credit or a final grade for the class, unless certain conditions are met.

What happens if my child does not complete a state assessment?

If a student comes to school on a scheduled testing day but declines to take an assessment, the Texas Education Agency requires that the student’s test packet MUST still be scored. And, for high school students, our state law provides that students who fail more than two End-of-Course assessment may not be able to graduate, unless a special graduation committee determines the student can graduate.

State law also requires students who do not pass their state assessments to participate in 30 hours of accelerated instruction for assessment the student does not pass.

These are consequences that a parent should seriously consider before asking for their child to “opt out” of taking state assessments.

Who do I contact at my child’s school for additional information?

Please contact the Campus Administration.

At-Home Study Tips

Set a regular study schedule
Create a distraction-free study space
Review your child's homework daily
Support additional learning at home
Use STAAR practice tests and review materials
Read to your child and have them read to you daily

Free STAAR Practice Tests & Study Guides

STAAR online practice tests and operational assessments are available through the STAAR Online Testing Platform. The practice tests are available to help students familiarize themselves with the online testing environment and embedded tools. Any students taking an online test are strongly encouraged to complete practice tests prior to taking the assessment. The STAAR Online Testing Platform operates through a secure browser that must be installed on a desktop or tablet.

Go to the Secure STAAR Online Testing Platform

Go to the STAAR Released Test Questions

Go to High School Study Guides

Exact Path is an Excellent Resource to Boost Reading, Math, and Language Arts Skills

Exact Path delivers customized instruction based on your child’s strengths and areas for improvement, allowing them to build confidence and master critical skills. Spending just a few extra minutes each day on Exact Path can reinforce key concepts and enhance their STAAR test performance.

Click the link for your Parent’s Guide to Exact Path and Sensei.

Test Day Success Tips
Be Relaxed, Comfortable and Confident
Content knowledge and test-taking experience will only go so far if a student is not mentally and physically prepared for their tests.

For this reason, these tips are important for all students during STAAR test periods:

Sleep. Because tests are four or five hours long, it's important to be well-rested.
Eat Right. Eat a balanced breakfast and bring healthy snacks for test day. Don't have too much sugar or caffeine to keep energy levels up and avoid crashing.
Take Breaks. A STAAR test is not a race. Students must go at their own pace and take breaks
Dress Comfortably. Make sure to dress in layers in clothes that are comfortable for long periods.
Be Confident. A positive attitude goes a long way. Students who stress about tests may want to review this short lesson on how to beat test anxiety.
Plan a Treat. Give yourself (or your student) something to look forward to. Plan something special -- a movie, favorite dinner, or other outing - to celebrate when testing is finished.

Review Your Child's STAAR Student Report Card
See how your child did on the STAAR test this year. To dive deeper, and to view results from previous years, check out the Family Portal.

GO TO YOUR PORTAL

Watch: STAAR Prep Tips for Parents
Our SWPREP Parent University's Soaring STAAR Series provides parents with tools, tips, and techniques to incorporate at home to help their child succeed on the STAAR test.

Series Part 1: Building Multiplying and Adding Decimal Skills