STAAR is a test Texas students have to take. Last year and this year, the STAAR will be online.
STARR, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, is an end-of-course test given by the state that determines if you are ready to continue to the next grade level. The STAAR test has evolved from paper-based to an online version that many schools opted into due to the pandemic.
TEA, Texas Education Agency, which oversees public schools in Texas, has plans to make all future STARR testing online beginning in 2022.
“I don’t like the STAAR being online because I like writing on my tests with strategies I know work for me, and I can’t do that online,” junior Ruby Hernandez said.
Hernandez later lets us know that she has never failed a STAAR test in the past, so it seems that strategies have helped her.
“I don’t really like taking the STAAR online because my eyes get really tired and dry over time. Since technology implementation has just risen due to covid-19, I’m personally still getting used to the idea of technology revolving around us. I am more used to having everything on paper because I have done most of my school year experience. Having the STAAR on paper is better than having it online, in my opinion,” junior Melissa Villanueva said.
Students now have to come up with alternative ways to get used to the STAAR online and prepare for these yearly exams.
“This year, to prepare for STAAR, I am just paying attention in my classes, keeping my grades up, and a couple of weeks before the exams, I work on study guides,” Ramiro Rodriguez said.
That’s just one student. All students have different ways of preparing for big tests.
“I am trying my best to get the most information out of all my classes so that I have a chance to pass the STAAR. I ask questions when I need clarification and take note of what I’m learning,” Adamaris Ochoa said.
