State and STAAR Testing

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams are typically administered by grade.

Primary

Grades 3 - 4: Reading and Math STAAR

Grade 5: Reading, Math and Science STAAR

STAAR exams are required for students in grades 3-8.

Middle school

Grade 6 - 7: Reading and Math

Grade 8: Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Math (at Meridian the exam is typically the Algebra EOC)

High school

Grade 9: English 1 EOC, Biology EOC, and Algebra 1 EOC (if the student is enrolled in an Algebra 1 course)

Grade 10: English 2

Grade 11: US History

STAAR End of Course (EOC): EOC exams are required for students in specific high school subject areas. Passing EOC exams is a graduation requirement.

A note about math STAAR exams

Most students take the STAAR math assessment for their enrolled course. The majority of our students take Algebra 1 in 8th grade so their math exam will be the Algebra 1 EOC. By federal rule, all students in grades 3-8 must be assessed annually in math and reading. If you have an 8th grade student in geometry or precalculus, the student will take the 8th grade math exam because geometry and precalculus is not a state-tested course and the corresponding exams are not available. The default is to take the exam based on their grade level. Eighth grade geometry or precalculus students take the STAAR Math 8 exam.

STAAR Schedules

2026 STAAR EOC Re-test Schedule

2027 STAAR Schedule

Primary STAAR Grades 3-5

April 8 (Thurs): Reading 3rd – 5th

April 15 (Thurs): Science 5th

April 22 (Thurs): Math 3rd – 5th

Middle School STAAR Grades 6-8

April 6 (Tues): Reading 8th

April 8 (Thurs): Reading 6th – 7th

April 14 (Wed): Social Studies 8th (date pending)

April 21 (Weds): Science 8th (date pending)

April 22 (Thurs): Math 8th*

April 27 (Tues): Math 6th – 7th*

High School STAAR Grades 9-11

April 12 (Tues): English 1 and 2 EOC 9th – 10th

April 13 (Tues): Biology EOC and US History EOC 9th and 11th

April 22 (Thurs): Ninth graders taking Algebra 1

*7th or 8th grade students enrolled in a non-tested math class (like geometry, for example) take their grade-level course.

Stand Alone Field Tests

Additional State Assessments for Special Populations

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)

Exam dates: February 16 - March 27, 2026

What is TELPAS? TELPAS is a required State assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language. The letters in TELPAS stand for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System. The Texas Education Agency developed TELPAS to meet state and federal requirements.

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Alternate 2 (STAAR ALT 2)

Exam dates: March 16 - April 17, 2026 (3rd – 8th and EOC)

TEA has developed the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) Alternate 2 assessment to meet the federal requirements mandated under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), a federal education law previously known as No Child Left Behind. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) designed the STAAR Alternate 2 to assess students in grades 3–8 and high school who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services.

Read on for more information on these exams.

College readiness testing

TSIA2: Read on for information about Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). See how to access and check your TSI score report.

PSAT: Thursday, October 15 – 10th – 11th Grade

ACT (no writing): Tuesday, March 23 – 11th Grade

ASVAB – Thursday, February 26, 2026 for interested 10th – 12th Grade students (sign up with Mr. Manuszak)

SAT: Students must register and pay individually if interested through College Board - September 12, 2026 and May 1, 2027.

Questions

To find information on college testing, go to secondary counseling. Your counselor or test coordinator can help you if you have any questions about testing.

Paige Bender - Test Coordinator