State Assessment

Texas’ student assessment program is designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the knowledge and skills at each tested grade or course identified in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The state assessment program is fully aligned to the TEKS, the statewide curriculum required to be taught.

Texas has had a statewide student assessment since 1980. In spring 2012, Texas students began taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®). The assessments are administered to students in grades 3–8 and high school. STAAR, including STAAR Spanish, is available on paper and online. ACISD became an Online only district in 20-21, ahead of the TEA deadline. Online versions with designated supports for English learners (ELs) and students with disabilities are also available. You can view STAAR results and released questions on the STAAR Resources webpage.

The state also offers STAAR Alternate 2 for students who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services. Eligibility criteria can be found on the STAAR Alternate 2 Resources webpage.

The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and the TELPAS Alternate are provided to assess the progress that ELs make in learning the English language. More information about these testing programs can be found on the TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate Resources webpages. 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) also provides free, optional, online interim assessments that align to the TEKS. More information can be found on the state-developed Interim Assessments webpage. 

On the Student Assessment webpages, you can also find links to the laws and rules that govern the assessment program and information about the student assessment division, which manages and oversees the administration of the Texas assessment program.