If you’re gearing up for STAAR prep and wondering where to focus your energy, I’ve got some exciting insights to share from the STAAR 2024 ELAR Test release test. With STAAR testing becoming more comprehensive, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. In this blog post, I’m breaking down the most tested TEKS standards for each grade level, and trust me, these takeaways will help you plan a more targeted and stress-free test prep strategy!
For a deeper dive into the full breakdown, you can read the detailed post or watch the video to get all the insights! 🎥📖
1. Paired Passages Are More Important Than Ever
Every single grade level had comparison questions where students had to read two texts and find similarities or differences. This means that focusing on paired passages isn’t just a once-in-a-while activity—it should be a consistent part of your reading comprehension instruction. Comparing texts requires different skills than reading a single passage, and your students need regular practice to feel confident.
Takeaway: Make paired passages a regular part of your classroom routine to build students’ confidence in this area.
If you need help adding paired passages into your lessons, be sure to check out my Paired Passages Task Cards for targeted practice! 📚✨
2. More TEKS, More Variety
This year, more TEKS standards were tested across each grade level. Gone are the days where we could focus primarily on one skill like inferencing. Now, your students will be hit with a wider range of questions that test a broad set of skills—from organizational patterns to author’s purpose and text structure.
Takeaway: Expand your test prep to cover more ground. You can’t just focus on a handful of big standards—students need exposure to a wide variety of TEKS throughout the year.
3. Balanced Test Prep is Key
In previous years, inferencing was the dominant skill tested across almost every grade level. But that’s no longer the case. Now, we’re seeing a much more balanced distribution of skills being tested. Whether it’s summarizing, drawing conclusions, or understanding figurative language, your prep should touch on a variety of topics to ensure your students are ready for anything.
Takeaway: Prepare your students for a balanced mix of skills to avoid gaps in their test readiness.
Grade-Level Breakdown: What to Expect from the STAAR 2024 ELAR Test
Here’s a quick look at some highlights from each grade level:
- 3rd Grade: Key ideas, organizational patterns, and author’s purpose were tested heavily this year.
- 4th Grade: Inferencing, text evidence, and author’s purpose are where you’ll want to focus.
- 5th Grade: Summarizing and drawing conclusions came up frequently.
- 6th Grade: Figurative language and mood were tested multiple times.
- 7th Grade: Summarizing and rhetorical devices were standouts.
- 8th Grade: Similar to previous years—inferencing, summarizing, and author’s purpose were key.
- English I & II: Both had a wide range of topics and a larger number of tested TEKS.
Looking Ahead to STAAR 2025
So, what can we expect for the 2025 STAAR test? Here are three predictions based on this year’s data:
- More paired passages – expect to see more questions that compare texts.
- A wider range of TEKS – regular exposure to all TEKS will be key in your prep.
- Consistent practice with different item types – ensure your students are familiar with various question formats, from multiple-choice to short and extended responses.
How I Can Help You Prepare
👉 For Parents: If you’re looking for easy-to-follow resources to help your child at home, check out my reading comprehension workbooks. They’re designed to make test prep simple and effective, even with a busy schedule.
👉 For Teachers: My STAAR Task Card Bundle covers all the tested TEKS, making it easy to target specific skills in your classroom. These task cards are a great way to integrate test prep into your daily routine with minimal effort!
Watch my latest video where I go into even more detail about the 2024 STAAR test insights and share tips for preparing your students for the upcoming 2025 test. Let’s make STAAR prep stress-free and successful for both you and your students!
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Thanks for reading, and happy teaching!
