High School Assessments

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®)

STAAR is an assessment program designed to measure the extent to which students have learned and are able to apply the knowledge and skills defined in the state-mandated curriculum standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Every STAAR question is directly aligned to the TEKS currently implemented for the grade/subject or course being assessed. STAAR includes end-of-course (EOC) assessments for Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S History.

STAAR Alternate 2 (STAAR Alt 2) is designed to assess students in grades 3–8 and high school who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services. STAAR Alt 2 includes end-of-course (EOC) assessments for Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S History.

STAAR field test: Districts can be chosen to participate in field tests to make sure that newly-developed items measure what they were intended to measure. Field testing contributes to the development of fair, high-quality tests. Students do not receive scores on field-test items. It is best practice to field test all items prior to using them to calculate a student’s score. An item should not contribute to a student’s score until the item has been shown to be accurate, fair and valid.

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS/TELPAS Alt)

TEA designed the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System Alternate (TELPAS Alt) to assess the progress that emergent bilingual (EB) students make in learning the English language. TELPAS Alt meets the federal requirement mandated under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires states to administer an alternate English language proficiency assessment for EB students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the general ELP assessment, even with allowable accommodations.

Fall & Spring Benchmark Assessments

The purpose of a benchmark exam is to understand if students have mastered specific standards and are ready to move on. Benchmark exams are given to help students prepare for end of year state testing. Our locally-developed benchmark assessments include:

• English I
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• U.S. History

Semester Exams

Semester exams/projects will be administered in all high school credit courses [EIA (LOCAL)] offered at middle school and high school campuses. The semester exam/project will count as 10% of the semester grade. Semester exams/projects will be given in the fall and spring.

Students in grades 9 through 12 may qualify for exemptions for one or more semester exams. Refer to the Abilene ISD 2021-2022 Semester Exam Exemption Policy for details regarding eligibility requirements, the number of allowed exemptions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)

The PSAT is an opportunity for students to practice for the SAT. PSAT scores are designed to predict SAT scores and gauge a student’s college readiness. By taking the PSAT, students will learn which areas he/she should focus on when studying for the SAT and will be better equipped to score well on the SAT. The PSAT is also the qualifying test for a National Merit Scholarship. Juniors who take the test must score in the top 1% to move on as semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

The SAT measures a high school student’s readiness for college and provides colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants and make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice test created and administered by the College Board.

Advanced Placement Program® (AP) exams

Each AP course concludes with an AP Exam. These assessments are designed by the same expert committee that designed the course. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 by college and university professors and experienced AP teachers. Many U.S. colleges offer credit for AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. AP Exams are administered at authorized schools and test centers. Most high schools that offer AP courses choose to administer AP Exams to their own students as well as external AP students. Schools that opt not to administer AP Exams can refer students to another AP testing location.

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT)/Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

NNAT is a nonverbal measure of general ability for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

CoGAT assesses a student’s academic aptitude and gifted abilities.

Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2)

TSIA2 is a state-mandated placement test that Texas public institutions must use to determine a student’s readiness for college-level courses. The test provides students with useful information about their academic skills in math, reading and writing. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors to determine students’ course selection and where they will be most successful.