Each year, Student Assessment considers recommendations from stakeholders on updates to state testing accommodations. This helps “level the playing field” for students needing extra assistance accessing test questions. These are the STAAR accommodations 2024-2025 updates.
Emergent Bilingual Students
In previous years, students identified as Emergent Bilingual (EB) and whose parents had refused program participation were not allowed to have linguistic support on STAAR tests.
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all EB students, including those whose parents have opted them out of program participation, are eligible to receive Oral Administration or Content and Language Supports on STAAR tests based upon recommendations of the student’s Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC).
In previous years, students identified as EB whose LPAC recommended linguistic supports (Oral Administration or Content and Language Supports) on Reading Language Arts (RLA) STAAR tests could not be reclassified at the end of the school year.
This is no longer the case beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Students receiving linguistic support on RLA STAAR tests based on LPAC recommendations will be reclassified at the end of the school year. However, this is not retroactive, as all 2023-2024 school year reclassifications should have occurred.
Text-to-Speech Tracking
Text-to-Speech (TTS) now provides a new visual to help students track the text being read. A line reader highlights the current text, and the word being read is emphasized with a darker shade of the line highlight color.
RLA Pre-Reads
Students who receive Content and Language Supports on RLA STAAR tests are given pre-reads at the beginning of each passage. This introduces the passage and gives some background information. These pre-reads will now be shorter (one to two sentences) and include key vocabulary words needed to understand the passage. The vocabulary words may include pop-ups or rollovers to help the students understand the word.
Accommodation Request Forms
Four accommodations require TEA approval for student use on state assessments: Complex Transcribing, Math Scribe, Extra Day, and Other. The Accommodation Request Form (ARF) process is available to make these requests. TEA needs time to process requests. This includes confering with the requesting district. Then provide guidance on allowing the student to “routinely and effectively” use the accommodation in class before state testing.
TEA has established due dates for ARF submissions based on the test administrations.
2024-2025 Due Dates for Submitting ARFs:
November 18, 2024 – for December 2024 STAAR administrations
February 3, 2025 – for spring 2025 TELPAS administrations
March 17, 2025 – for spring 2025 STAAR administrations
June 2, 2025 – for June 2025 STAAR administrations
Submitting an ARF for a newly enrolled or newly identified student or a student with extenuating circumstances is permissible. Still, these situations should be the exception and not the rule.
Conclusion
Please check with your District Testing Coordinator (DTC) or Campus Testing Coordinator (CTC) if you have further questions about STAAR Accommodations. They can inform you about allowable accommodations on state tests.
For additional STAAR resources, visit our website. View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about STAAR or read through previously answered questions here.
Videos more your style? Our STAAR Stuff videos provide up-to-date information on STAAR in a fun and comprehensive manner. Check out our playlist on YouTube and learn more about format changes, blueprints, and reading and writing applications.
Read similar posts about STAAR on our blog. Review our E-Campus catalog for current STAAR professional development opportunities.
Still have questions? Contact a Region 13 STAAR team member at staar@esc13.txed.net.
Butch has worked with testing and accountability for over 15 years at the campus, district, regional, and state levels. Originally from North Carolina, Butch is the State Assessment Specialist for the Education Service Center Region 13, helping district test coordinators and others navigate the world of STAAR and TELPAS testing. He is available to answer any of your state testing policy and procedure questions.
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