Texas STARR Tests Fully Online, Teachers Brace for Impact

According to HoustonPublicMedia.org, Texas teachers are experiencing anxiety due to the upcoming FULLY ONLINE standardized tests, this spring, known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests. 

The new exam format, which now includes drop-down menus, multiple-choice questions with more than one right answer, drag and drops, and writing prompts, has caused concern among educators, particularly those teaching younger students.

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The redesign was mandated by a 2019 state law, which required a virtual move.

The Texas Education Agency claimed that the STAAR 2.0 would be more comprehensive than previous exams.

Despite this, teachers are still worried about the additional workload required to teach students how to navigate the new question formats.

The changes to the exam have resulted in more stress for teachers who are already struggling to help students recover from the learning losses experienced during the pandemic.

Moreover, some students may not have access to the necessary technology to take the online exam, and students with special needs may perform better on a paper test.

Teachers are also anxious about the reliability of the technology and whether they have received sufficient training on the new formats.

The students, particularly those in disadvantaged districts, may face additional challenges due to limited access to the resources required to prepare for the new STAAR.

Consequently, educators are concerned about the fairness and equity of the testing process, which could further widen the achievement gap.

If you're a teacher or someone in the education field, let me know what you think at nico@klaq.com