State and STAAR Testing
STAAR exams are required for students in grades 3 - 8. STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams are required for students in specific high school subject areas. Passing EOC exams is a graduation requirement.
Tests typically administered by grade:
Grades 3 & 4 – Reading and Math STAAR
Grade 5 – Reading, Math and Science STAAR
Grade 6 & 7 – Reading & Math
Grade 8 – Reading, Math (at Meridian the exam is typically the Algebra EOC), Science and Social Studies
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
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 & 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.
Primary Testing Grades 3-5
| Reading | Grades 3-5 | Thursday, April 20 |
| Science | Grade 5 | Wednesday, April 26 |
| Math | Grades 3-5 | Thursday, May 4 |
Middle School Testing Grades 6-8
| Reading | Grades 6-8 | Thursday, April 20 |
| Science | Grade 8 | Tuesday, April 26 |
| Math | Grades 6-7 (Some 8) | Tuesday, May 2 |
| Algebra 1 EOC | Grade 8 | Tuesday, May 2 |
| Alternate Algebra 1 Date | Grade 8 | Monday, May 8 |
High School Testing Grades 9-11
| English 1 & US History (EOC December Retakes) | Tuesday, December 6 | |
| English 2, Biology, & Algebra (EOC December Retakes) | Tuesday, December 8 | |
| English 1 & 2 EOC | Tuesday, April 18 | |
| Biology | Grade 9 | Tuesday, April 25 |
| US History | Grade 11 | Tuesday, April 25 |
| Algebra | Grade 8 (Some 9) | Tuesday, May 2 or Monday, May 8 |
Additional State Assessments for Special Populations
TELPAS
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.
STAAR ALT 2
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.
Meridian will administer the STAAR ALT 2 during the testing window March 20 - 31.
College & Career Readiness Exam Schedule
The PSAT-NMSQT exam is administered in the fall to sophomores & juniors. The ACT exam is administered to juniors in the spring. Both exams are administered during the school day. The school registers and administers the tests to eligible students for free.
The TSIA2 Exam is available to junior or senior students who have not met reading or math cut scores on the ACT or SAT exam. The test will help the colleges and universities determine if the student is ready for college-level work. If the student has not met college readiness benchmarks, the college or university will help plan interventions and strategies for student success. Students may also need to take the TSIA2 if they’re taking dual-credit courses at ACC and have not yet taken an ACT or SAT exam. Acceptance to a college or university is NOT contingent on meeting college-readiness standards. For more information about TSIA2 please click here.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is offered for free to interested 10th - 12th grade students. The ASVAB provides tools to help students learn more about career exploration & planning in both civilian and military worlds of work.
| PSAT-NMSQT | Tuesday, October 25 |
| ASVAB | Thursday, November 17 |
| TSIA 2 Exam | Thursday, December 8 |
| ACT (no writing) | Tuesday, March 7 |
Questions
Your counselor or test coordinator can help you if you have any questions about testing.
Paige Bender - Test Coordinator
Paige Bender - Test Coordinator