Essay Example on STAAR Testing

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is the state's student program. The tests are based on the Texas essential knowledge and skills, which are the state's curricular requirements. Furthermore, these tests include 5 EOC assessments: Algebra 1, English 1, English 2, Biology and U.S. History. In order to receive a high school diploma from a Texas public school or charter school. Exams are taken in person and approximately 5 million Texas students take these exams every year. In addition, the exam is administered by the Texas Education agency and in fact was first administered in 2011. In order to pass these exams a minimum of 25% to 35% is needed and attaining commended is defined as advanced academic performance. Although it’s required by the state of Texas for all public students to take the STAAR exams, many argue that the exam should not be administered from students, parents to even teachers. However, students should be required to take these exams because it is a reflection of their performance, overcoming their failures over the year and preparing these students for college/ careers they take upon in the future. Despite the fact that many individuals believe its not effective it continues to play an essential role in education and other fields. Moreover, from personal experience I definitely recommend the STAAR exam. 

The STAAR test is a standardized test that evaluates you on a variety of academic topics, allowing you to see where you stand and whether you've met the passing score. The STAAR test is a useful tool for determining where students have advanced or the  need to improve in their academics. Based on the results, specifically students who perform poorly, schools provide students with resources in order to reach the met goal and continue onto the next grade level. 

Resources include after school tutoring, STAAR preparation, practice tests, incorporating similar activities and so much more. The STAAR serves as an excellent benchmark for the school and the state of Texas. The STAAR test covers all the topics the students have learned throughout the year and measures certain skills. As a result, it allows instructors/ staff to view which topics students struggle with the most and determine which areas each student deserves more improvement on. The STAAR test's purpose is to guarantee that all students grasp the material and if need be attain the resources they need to succeed academically.    

STAAR testing should be required not only for the students' success but to also measure teachers' performance. Teachers are not to blame for students failing due to having further circumstances as to why they are failing. However, teachers do play an impactful role in a students life and how they later perform in life. Furthermore, also evaluating the education system and if new practices need to be implemented. Examining STAAR test scores allows the state to view teachers' performances throughout the state of Texas and implement if additional training is needed to meet higher passing and advanced scores. All in all, measuring the teacher and education system aids in identifying the problem and solving it in a proper manner. 

Going into college I would definitely say I was not prepared for the numerous exams within one semester and I simply had to learn and grasp the material at a fast pace on my own. It is a very challenging experience that I’m still facing today and thousands of other students are facing as well. Without taking the STAAR exams in high school I would definitely say that I would have been a college dropout. The STAAR exam prepared me for the real world and the realities I would face once I received my diploma. Although I wasn’t always passing my STAAR exams with flying colors and we were disappointed with ourselves, I always looked at it as a blessing in disguise. This is due to the fact that I was able to view the mistakes/ missed percentages that I needed to work on and overcome. The STAAR exam is significant because it prepares high school students for the SAT, ACT, and TSI tests. As a result, these tests later determine student scholarships and acceptances into colleges. Not only did the STAAR exam prepare me for the real world but it built character as a consequence of accepting failures and learning a lesson from it. 

In conclusion,  taking the STAAR test is essential and beneficial not just to students, but also to teachers and the educational system as a whole. Regarding students the exam reflects their performance and allows them to overcome any failures they may have come across. The STAAR test aids in identifying any issues that may arise in a teacher's performance. Being able to identify these issues immediately implements substantial solutions, resulting in both teachers and students performing better academically.