STAAR EOC Overview Information

In the 2011-2012 school year, the state's standardized testing program, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was replaced by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). For high school students, End of Course (EOC) tests for certain high school courses replaced TAKS tests. For grades 3-8, TAKS tests were replaced by the more rigorous STAAR tests. Please navigate this page for additional information. A few highlights:

• Students who were first time 9th graders in 2011-2012 were the first cohort to take the End of Course tests
• Under the new EOC system, students will be required to pass 15 End of Course exams in order to graduate
• Test scores on each of the required End of Course exams will count for 15% of the student's final grade in the course

Although the details of the new STAAR system are still being worked out by the Texas Education Agency, McKinney Independent School District is committed to preparing our students and our staff for this transition. This website is intended to help keep you up-to-date on the developments.

STAAR EOC FAQ

Listed below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. The list will be updated as we receive additional information from the Texas Education Agency. The link to the TEA is also listed at the bottom of this list.

When do the changes go into effect?

See chart below for the TAKS to EOC transition:

Which courses have an EOC test?

There are 4 content areas that are tested - English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. In each content area, there will be 3 subject tests. In the ELA area, each subject test is broken into 2 parts, for a total of 15 EOC tests: ELA - English I (Writing & Reading), English II (Writing & Reading), English III (Writing & Reading) Math - Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Social Studies - World Geography, World History, American History Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics

What do students have to make on each test in order to graduate?

Students must achieve a cumulative score "at least equal to the product of the number of EOC assessments taken in that content area and a scale score that indicates satisfactory performance". (> n x passing scale score).

• Student must achieve a minimum score on an EOC exam for the score to count toward the cumulative score
• Cumulative score requirement may vary by subject area
• If a student retests, the highest score is used to determine the cumulative score

Are there different requirements for the Minimum, Recommended, and Distinguished Graduation plans?

Yes.

• Minimum Plan - Meet the cumulative score requirement, based on the number of courses a student takes for which an EOC assessment exists

• Recommended Plan - In addition to the cumulative score requirement, students must perform satisfactorily on the EOC assessments for Algebra II and English III

• Distinguished Plan - In addition to the cumulative score requirement, students must perform satisfactorily on the college readiness component of the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments

What about retesting?

If a student doesn't achieve the minimum score required, then the student SHALL retake the assessment.

• If the student doesn't perform satisfactorily on the college-readiness components for Algebra II or English III, the student MAY retake the assessment.

• A student does NOT have to retake a course in order to retake an EOC assessment.

Does the EOC test score count for anything?

Yes. The student's score on an EOC assessment will be worth 15% of the student's final grade for that course. Districts are NOT required to use a retest score to calculate the final grade for the course.

Update Alert: TEA Commissioner has deferred the 15% grading policy for the 2012-2013 school year.

Is there a time limit on the new tests?

At this point, TEA is implementing a 4 hour limit per exam.

What's the difference between TAKS tests and the new EOC/STAAR tests?

The new EOC/STAAR tests are significantly more rigorous, measuring performance on a deeper level.

Will the tests be online or on paper?

Grade 3-8 assessments will be on paper only. Secondary assessments may be either online or on paper.

What about the middle school students currently taking Algebra I and/or Geometry? Which tests do they take?

Students who are enrolled in a high school course will take the EOC assessment as required for graduation. Local policy will determine whether they also take the STAAR grade-level assessment.

How will non-traditional methods of course work (such as dual credit, correspondence courses, etc.) be affected?

If a student receives credit in a course for which an EOC asessment is offered, the student is required to take the EOC assessment for graduation purposes, regardless of the setting in which the student takes the course.

What are the testing options for special education students?

TEA is developing modified and alternate versions of assessments to be offered under the STAAR program. 

How will the transition from TAKS to STAAR affect our school and/or district's accountability ratings?

The last TAKS-based accountability ratings were issued in 2011. Accountability ratings were suspended in 2012. The new state rating system will debut in 2013.

How will STAAR EOC affect my child's grade?

The score a student receives on a STAAR EOC assessment is required to count for 15% of the student’s final grade in the course.  Since most high schools award credits and grade points on a semester schedule, the EOC assessment in effect would count 15% of a student’s first semester grade and 15% of the student’s second semester grade.

Update Alert: TEA Commissioner has deferred the 15% grading policy for the 2012-2013 school year.

Will my child have an opportunity to retake the EOC STAAR if my child fails the exam?

Yes---multiple retest opportunities will be available after the primary administration of any STAAR EOC assessment.

If my child is a middle school student and taking a high school EOC-connected course for credit, will they take the STAAR EOC assessment (i.e., Algebra 1, Geometry).

Yes

Will the report card of my high school or middle school student look different?

Yes – The secondary report card will now have 2 additional columns labeled “EOC1” and “EOC2” respectively to accommodate these marks.  Please note first semester grades for EOC courses will be provisional pending EOC assessment results which should arrive from the state testing contractor the first week of June.

Update Alert: TEA Commissioner has deferred the 15% grading policy for the 2012-2013 school year.

View sample report card

EOC Parent letter

I have a middle school child who is taking an accelerated math course. What state assessment will my child be responsible to take?

Where can I go to find additional information?

The Texas Education Agency Assessment Division: End-of-Course Assessments page

STAAR Questions and Answer page