TEA releases rules for accommodations as STAAR shifts to online testing in December

Starting in December 2022, all State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness assessments — grades 3–8 assessments, end-of-course assessments, and Spanish assessments, including accommodated versions — will be administered online. Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System listening and speaking and reading assessments will continue to be administered online.

With the transition, TEA said requests for a special administration of an online assessment (e.g., paper version of STAAR, holistic assessment of TELPAS listening and speaking in grades 2–12) should be submitted only if a required accommodation documented in the student’s individualized education program, individual accommodation plan, or 504 paperwork cannot be delivered in an online format.

Paper policy

The Special Paper Administration of an Online Test Policy provides districts with guidance as to which students may qualify for a special paper administration of a state assessment.

The full policy can be found on the STAAR redesign webpage, and a summary of its key points are noted below.

A student who may qualify for a special paper administration of an online test:

• requires an accommodation that cannot be provided in an online format;
• has a physical limitation that does not allow the student to interact with an online test; or
• is in an educational placement that does not permit the student to access the Internet.

According to TEA’s Special Paper Administration of an Online Test Policy, requests for a special administration of an online assessment can be submitted for students whose educational placement does not permit online access. Requests for a special administration will only be approved if the rationale includes evidence that a paper administration is necessary due to students’ inability to access the online assessment. Requests to test on paper based on parent or student preference will not be granted.

For additional information, see the TEA’s STAAR redesign webpage.

Read more about new STAAR question types and the Texas Through-Year Assessment Program pilot.