Language Arts S.T.A.A.R. Teacher Training

Trainings are charged on a per campus basis and includes up to 30 teachers. Training days also includes up to 2 sessions per day where I will work directly with students groups while teachers observe.

Types of training available include brainstorming/planning, introductions, body paragraphs, voice, transitions, conclusions, revising/editing and S.T.A.A.R. writing traits (for the new Texas standardized tests).

Included is one set of materials and a Lesson Plan CD. Two or more training days also includes analytically scored essays.
This is intensive, yet fun learning to teach creative writing skills. Contact us with any questions you have. Can't wait to hear from you!

There are three keys to getting a four on the new Texas S.T.A.A.R. Test. One way to remember them is the acronym D.O.C.
(Development, Organization, and Conventions)
Bugs Bunny used to exclaim all the time, "What's up, Doc!" Imagine you the teacher being a doctor for your patients, the students. Each week you write a set of prescriptions, better known as lesson plans, to help your students improve their writing skills.

Be sure to call us toll free and ask for information on how to teach students the process of writing to perform well on the S.T.A.A.R. test. Our website has our fees and information on high quality writing staff development. We can work with teachers or with students while teachers observe.

ARE BREAKS ALLOWED DURING STAAR ASSESSMENTS?

Breaks are allowed during STAAR assessments; however the following breaks must be included in the four-hour time limit.
* Breaks for water or snacks
* Bathroom breaks
* Breaks for physical activity (e.g., standing up and stretching)
* Routine medical breaks (e.g., to take medicine)

Breaks for lunch are not included in the four-hour time limit; however it is recommended that lunch be scheduled outside of the testing time.

HOW WILL REPORTING CHANGE WHEN STAAR IS IMPLEMENTED?

The implementation of STAAR will bring some key changes to the way information is reported.

For TAKS all reports were provided in hard-copy format with the option to receive online reports for a fee. With the new STAAR program, all reports will be provided online. One copy of each of the Confidential Student Reports (CSRs) and labels will be provided in hard-copy format.

WHAT HAPPENS TO STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE LATE OR AFTER TESTING HAS BEGUN?

All students must be given the maximum of four hours to complete the tests. Districts will need to determine if the student can test on that day or on a make-up day.

FOR WHICH ASSESSMENTS WILL MAKE-UP TESTING BE AVAILABLE?

For the STAAR program, make-up testing opportunities for students who are absent will be available for all grades, subjects, and courses. Make-up testing opportunities will also be available for all administrations, including the summer administrations.

WILL THE DYSLEXIA BUNDLED ACCOMMODATIONS CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TAKING THE STAAR READING ASSESSMENTS?

Two of the three bundled accommodations will be available for students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities on the STAAR reading assessments in grades 3 through high school-the oral reading of item stems/answer options only and extended testing time, if needed. These accommodations do not need to be offered as a bundle; the needs of the student should be considered when determining which accommodations to use. A proper-nouns list like the one used in the TAKS assessments will no longer be provided.

The first key to getting a four on the new S.T.A.A.R. Test is development.....the D in D.O.C. (Development, Organization, and Conventions)
The scoring guide is written and designed for teachers, because of its difficulty level. Think about these points as you train your students this coming year in writing. The ideas they choose must be very well chosen. Since the graders have to score anywhere from 100 to 200 papers per day per person, it is crucial the students put some thought into their main points and ideas.
Let me prove my point by sharing an experience I had once as a consultant. I was asked to analytically score a hundred compositions for a campus and the prompt was, Write about a time you were proud. Over 75 students chose to respond with the same idea! They had just taken the benchmark in Reading and Math on the two previous days. The majority of them wrote about being proud because they passed their benchmark tests! If that is happening that often in ONE school, imagine what is happening at the state level with over 300,000 students!
Allow me the opportunity to work with your campus/district in providing high quality research based staff development on writing original well thought compositions! Call us for more information about in-school trainings at 1-866-398-5605.