Standardized Tests

STAAR

Students in 3rd through 5th grade take the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test. The STAAR test is administered to determine whether students in 3rd through 5th grade have learned the skills and met the objectives set by the Texas Legislature in the following areas:

3rd grade Reading & Math 4th grade Reading & Math

5th grade Reading, Math & Science

It is the responsibility of all teachers at all grade levels to be familiar with the objectives for each of the tests and to incorporate them into their lessons. Interventions, including small group instruction and after school tutoring, are provided to help students who need additional assistance.

Other Assessments

A variety of state-approved assessments, chosen by AISD, are administered to students in PK – 5th grade. Additionally, informal and local assessments, chosen by Casis staff, are also administered to gage student progress. These tools will assess student mastery of essential knowledge and skills in Reading, Math, and/or Writing at each appropriate grade level. The results of these tests may be shared during parent/teacher conferences, as appropriate.

Homework 

Homework is assigned on a regular basis beginning in 1st grade. The purpose of homework is to give students additional practice using skills learned in the classroom. Research indicates that homework can make a positive difference in student achievement. Increasing amounts of homework are assigned each year, as is developmentally appropriate. In addition, some teachers ask that students keep a reading log.

Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their children’s homework without doing it for them. Homework provides an opportunity to observe first-hand the concepts and skills your child is learning. Please contact the classroom teacher if your child consistently experiences difficulty with his or her assignments. The classroom teacher will contact a child’s parents if the child is not submitting his or her homework or class work.

The following homework guidelines may be helpful for your child:

• Have a regular schedule for your child’s homework, play, and At least 30 minutes to

1.5 hours should be allotted to homework. You may want to allow your child a break between the school day and homework.

• Provide a good work area with adequate lighting, a desk or surface upon which to work, necessary supplies, and a quiet, calm
• Let your child do the Stay nearby to answer questions or offer guidance.
• Review completed homework with your

• Designate a special spot for your child’s homework to be placed to prevent last-minute searches in the morning.
• If your child does not seem to understand the assignment, write a note on your child’s paper in order to enable the teacher to re-teach your Please do not complete homework assignments for your child.
• Be sure your child returns homework to school on
• The teacher will communicate any consequences for homework not

Student Report Cards

Students receive report cards four times per year at the close of each nine-week grading period. Any time a student’s average is C- or below, or if work for a PreK through 2nd grade student falls into the “Needs Improvement” category, parents will be notified by the teacher and progress reports will be sent home.

Grade Reporting for PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade

The following criteria are used to reflect achievement in each subject area. Plus (+) and minus (-) are not used.

Grade Reporting for 3rd, 4th & 5th grade

Letter grades, along with plus (+) and minus (-), are used to reflect academic achievement in each subject area. A uniform system for translating letter grades to numerical score ranges is as follows:

Failing 69 & below F 69 & below Personal Development scores are as follows:

• 4 Consistently
• 3 Often
• 2 Sometimes
• 1 Seldom

School Report Card

The Texas Education Agency prepares a School Report Card on each school on an annual basis. These reports are sent to all parents of children enrolled in public schools and can be accessed through the District web site. Each report card contains the following information:

• Academic excellence indicators, including standardized testing results
• Student/teacher ratios
• Administrative and instructional costs per student
• School performance