TISD Discusses New STAAR Program

TYLER — Tyler school trustees have been briefed on the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Program. STAAR will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which is the state assessment program that has been in place since 2003. STAAR includes 12 End of Course tests and the new grade
3-8 tests. STAAR will test students over the content they study each year as opposed to testing the content studied over multiple years. School superintendent Dr. Randy Reid told school trustees last night the new assessment system will be significantly more rigorous than the current TAKS assessments. The new system will also have additional tests and the requirement that high school students pass all 12 EOC exams in order to graduate. The student’s score on the assessment must be worth 15% of student’s final grade for that course.

Dr. Reid said while there are many unanswered questions at this point as to the content and testing specifics, they are confident that many of the curriculum and instructional pieces that are in place in Tyler ISD will assist in the preparation of TISD students. He said the school district will continue to inform the students, staff, and parents as questions are answered by TEA regarding this new system as they develop and share the district’s transition plan for STAAR.

Dr. Reid also discussed high school graduation ceremonies at last night’s meeting. They are looking at the possibility of moving graduation ceremonies from the Oil Palace to Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Each high school will hold graduation on either the Friday or Saturday evening during the first weekend in June of next year. Rain contingency plans will be in place as well. Moving the ceremony to Rose Stadium could save the school district up to $20,000. The District will draft a plan and layout for the ceremonies to be presented to the Board at next month’s meeting.