Beginning this spring, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).  The new STAAR program at grades 3 – 5 will assess the same subjects and grades previously assessed on TAKS:  Grade 3 tests Reading and Math; Grade 4 tests Reading, Math, and Writing; Grade 5 tests Reading, Math, and Science.  You can go to the TEA website to learn more about each test and to look at sample questions to familiarize yourself with the design and format of the new STAAR assessments:

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/STAAR/

Your learner and your classroom leader are working each day on the state curriculum, specifically, the student expectations found in the state curriculum (TEKS) at each grade level.  While we have no way of knowing really what to expect, we have great faith in our learners, in the work and preparations they are doing, and in the daily effective teaching practices in our classrooms.  As I remind all of us frequently:  Plan your work; work your plan; autograph your work with personal excellence.  I have no doubt they will produce their personal best results when the new testing dust clears.  Please let us know when you have questions and we’ll do our best to find answers with you.