Victoria Young Director of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Assessments

1. STATE OF TEXAS ASSESSMENTS OF ACADEMIC READINESS (STAAR)Grades 3−8 ReadingGrades 4 and 7 WritingEnglish I, II, and III Victoria Young Director of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Assessments Texas Education Agency

2. STAAR Reading • STAAR reading assessments will emphasize students’ ability • to “go beyond” a literal understanding of what they read • to make connections within and across texts (“across texts” begins at grade 4 on STAAR but needs to begin much earlier instructionally) • to think critically/inferentially about different types of texts

3. STAAR Reading • STAAR reading assessments will emphasize students’ ability • to understand how to use text evidence to confirm the validity of their ideas (new on STAAR—understanding how text evidence works with poetry, drama, and persuasive pieces; e.g., text evidence for drama includes both dialogue and stage directions)

4. Student Success in Readingand on STAAR • Students must be provided in-depth instruction in all genres represented by the ELA/R TEKS • Students must learn to analyze both fiction and expository genres—the readiness genres—at elementary, middle, and high school • Instruction must emphasize critical/ inferential thinking rather than isolated skills • Students must be able to make connections between different genres and strands (and be able to “see” the thematic links)

5. Student Success in Readingand on STAAR • Students must understand the relationship between reading strategies and making meaning. • Students must learn to use reading strategies judiciously, especially given the 4-hour time limit.

6. CONTACT INFORMATION Victoria Young Director of Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Assessments Texas Education Agency 512-463-9536 victoria.young@tea.state.tx.us