There has been a change in the legislation related to state assessment requirements for graduation. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced that House Bill 5 now requires students to pass five State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) end-of-course exams to meet the new graduation requirements. The five assessments under HB 5 include: algebra I, English I (combined reading/writing), English II (combined reading/writing), biology, and U.S. history.

Prior to the passing of House Bill 5 the state had required students to pass additional assessments in algebra II, geometry, English III, chemistry, physics, world geography, and world history. These assessments have been eliminated from the testing requirements. As a result, the July 2013 STAAR administration will not include assessments for these courses. Students that previously received a letter from LISD informing them to attend a July EOC exam session in one of these areas are no longer required to attend because the tests have been eliminated. The July administration for EOC assessments will continue to be offered in algebra I, English I, English II, biology, and U.S. history.

July EOC exams: Students are required to test at their home high school campus with the exception of Cedar Park High School students, who will test at Vista Ridge High School due to CPHS being closed for building renovations. Exams will take place on the following dates:
 
Monday, July 8: English I & III (Writing)
Tuesday, July 9: English I & III (Reading)
Wednesday, July 10: English II (Writing), Algebra I
Thursday, July 11: English II (Reading) and Biology
Friday, July 12: US History
 
Exam check-in will take place from 8-8:45 a.m., and testing will begin at 9 a.m. Students are required to have a picture ID for test check-in. If you are unable to attend testing on the assigned dates above, please contact your testing coordinator as soon as possible.
 
If a student is visiting another part of Texas during the summer exam window, they can take the exam in any Texas school district.  The following items are required for any student who will be taking an exam in another school district:  picture identification, name, birthdate, social security number/ PEIMS number, and gender. Please contact your campus coordinator for more information.
 
EOC exam review sessions are being offered at no charge. These sessions will be held at Vista Ridge High School from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the following dates:

June 17, 19, 24, 26, and July 1, 3 - ELA and Math
June 18, 20, 25, 27 and July 2 - Science and Social Studies

Please sign up for review sessions online.
 
If you need additional information please call your campus testing coordinator listed below:
Leander HS: Lori Bertison 512-570-1083
Cedar Park HS: Edwina Hayden 512-570-1212
Rouse HS: Debbie Gauna 512-570-2029
Vandegrift HS: Tara Stewart 512-570-2318
Vista Ridge HS: Lisa Coats 512-570-1800

The chart below outlines the plan for phase-out of high school TAKS and phase-in of STAAR EOC assessments.

	2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	2013-2014	2014-2015
Gr. 9	TAKS	EOC**	EOC	EOC	EOC
Gr. 10	TAKS	TAKS	EOC	EOC	EOC
Gr. 11	TAKS	TAKS	TAKS	EOC	EOC
Gr. 12	TAKS*	TAKS*	TAKS*	TAKS*	EOC or TAKS*

*out-of-school testers and 12^th grade re-testers
** First year 9^th graders

The Texas Education Agency has identified three performance categories for the grade 3-8 STAAR End of Course tests –

• Level  lll:  Advanced Academic Performance – Performance at this level indicates that a student is well prepared for the next grade or course.    Students have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course with little or no need for academic interventions.  For Algebra ll and English lll, this level of performance also indicates a student’s postsecondary readiness.
• Level  ll:  Satisfactory Academic Performance   - Performance in this category indicates that students are sufficiently prepared for the next grade or course.  They have a reasonable likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may need short-term, targeted academic intervention.
• Level  l:  Unsatisfactory Academic Performance – Performance in this category indicates that students are inadequately prepared for the next grade or course.  Students in this category are unlikely to succeed in the next grade or course without significant, on-going academic intervention.

* Level II Satisfactory rating on English III, Reading and Writing and Algebra II is required to qualify for the state's Recommended Achievement Program high school diploma.
** Level III Advanced Academic rating on English III, Reading and Writing and Algebra II is required to qualify for the state's Distinguished Achievement Program high school diploma.

LISD is currently working to revise this information due to the recent change made by the legislature. Updates will be posted as soon as possible.