The Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency is responsible for the development and administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) and the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS). The Texas Assessment program includes more than just the STAAR summative tests. Assessment tools and resources provide educators and parents meaningful information to support strong teaching and guide students to their full potential. Without assessments, it’s hard to measure how well all Texas students are learning and understanding subjects and course material throughout their educational experience. For many Texas students, assessments also help measure how well they are mastering the English language.

An Exam for Acceleration—also referred to as Credit by Examination (CBE) for Acceleration—provides students the opportunity to earn credit for a course or advance to the next grade level without completing formal classroom instruction. This option is intended for students who have already demonstrated mastery of the curriculum and skills for the respective subject or grade level. To earn credit through an Exam for Acceleration, students must achieve a score of 80% or higher.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is a statewide standardized testing program designed to evaluate academic achievement in Texas public schools. STAAR measures how effectively students have learned and can apply the knowledge and skills outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum.

Grades 3 - 8 Mathematics and Reading Language Arts

Grade 5 & 8 Science

Grade 8 Social Studies

Algebra

Biology

English I

English II

US History

TEA designed the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate to assess the progress that limited English proficient (LEP) students, also referred to as English learners (ELs), make in learning the English language.

TELPAS assesses the English language proficiency of K-12 ELs in four language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing. English language proficiency assessments in grades K-12 are federally required to evaluate the progress that ELs make in becoming proficient in the use of academic English. TELPAS assesses the ELPS, which districts are required to implement as an integral part or each foundation and enrichment subject of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state-required curriculum.