STAAR testing begins for students across Texas
April 8 kicks off the first round of STAAR testing across Texas.
STAAR stands for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. It's a state testing program that has been in place for about 15 years.
The standardized test measures how much students have learned that grade year and they must pass before moving to the next grade level. Seniors must pass before graduating.
On April 8, reading, language arts, and English 1 and 2 tests will be administered.
As students get ready for the exams, Dallas ISD has some tips to help them succeed:
Fort Worth ISD, one of the largest districts in the state, has some of the
lowest STAAR testing results
, according to a recent report.
City leaders said that more than half of Tarrant County students are not reading at grade level.
Based on a recent report, grades 6, 7 and 8 last year in middle school literacy scored more than 20% below the state average.
Numbers also showed Fort Worth ISD is 12% behind Dallas ISD in all subjects from 2024 results.
This led Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in a rare move to
address the school board
back in the fall semester and make some changes.
Parker and other community leaders launched an education advocacy group called
Fort Worth Students First
, which prioritizes literacy in their public schools.
There are also some changes to teaching roles this upcoming school year in Fort Worth ISD with an approach to zero in on bettering their STAAR results.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
Typical Missteps to Avoid in the IELTS Speaking Test Online
Students in India do not just dream big—they work hard to achieve those dreams. For many who wish to study abroad, the IELTS speaking test online is a significant milestone. This test assesses your ability to speak English. Now that many people take the test online, more students choose the virtual speaking test. But small mistakes often go unnoticed. These small errors can result in significant differences in your score. Read on to find out what common mistakes to avoid—and how to avoid them. Are you worried about the IELTS online speaking section? You are not alone. Many students struggle in the same ways. But with routine training, you can accomplish it satisfactorily. Take a look at these common errors and get tips to avoid them so you can approach your test with confidence. Most students worry about their English grammar, words, and how smoothly they speak. But what causes the biggest issues in the IELTS speaking test online is Technical problems. A weak internet connection, a faulty microphone, or a poor camera can all hurt your performance. That is why you must inspect your internet and tools well in advance. Hence, you must not postpone until the final minute. Moreover, ensure your mic and webcam function adequately. Sit in a quiet, bright place with no echoes or background noise. Also, do a test run. Call a friend or teacher beforehand to check your setup. You already have enough to assume about on examination day. Don't let technical issues be one more problem. Have you ever listened to individuals communicate so quickly you faced issues following them? Or someone who speaks so slowly it feels tiring to listen? Some test-takers also pause too often, which can be confusing. These speech habits are typical during the IELTS speaking test online. Speaking too quickly or slowly can affect your score. Try to speak at a steady, natural pace. Don't rush, and don't drag. Also, control your breathing—it helps more than you think. You can even video yourself and hear how you communicate. It may feel strange at first, but it's worthwhile. Ask a friend or tutor for feedback as well. The examiners are trained to spot memorized answers. It's easy for them to tell when someone is repeating a prepared response, and it can lower your IELTS speaking test online score. Many students use learned answers that don't fit the question appropriately. Sometimes, they don't even understand what they're saying, which sounds unnatural. To avoid this mistake, really listen to the question and answer in your own words. Moreover, you should share your ideas or experiences. Practice speaking on random topics to help you think quickly. The goal is to communicate like a genuine individual, not a robot. That's what helps boost your score. Have you ever conversed with an individual who only states 'yes' or 'no' and then goes mute? It's disconcerting and seems like they don't comprehend much. In the IELTS speaking test online, short responses don't help you demonstrate your English aptitudes. Therefore, you must provide detailed, more precise explanations. Presume it like articulating a concise narrative. Use conjoining terms such as 'because,' 'for example,' and 'in addition' to make your opinions flow agreeably. This approach makes you communicate more fluently and confidently. Avoid keeping your responses too concise. If needed, you can join IELTS classes where coaches can help you improve and construct more robust responses. It's expected to feel unsettling during the IELTS speaking examination. But nerves can make your mind go blank, your sentences fall apart, and your thoughts feel stuck. You might know what to say but can't say it clearly. To feel more confident, speak English daily. Talk to yourself, your friend, or even your pet—it helps. Practice mock interviews, too. Try a reading mock test IELTS session as well to build overall test familiarity and comfort with timing. Go over common speaking topics with friends. Let them question inquiries and rehearse how you respond. And when test day comes, take a deep breath. Mistakes may happen, but don't stop. Just keep going. The more you communicate, the more promising you'll get. One of the subtle yet profound mistakes students make during the IELTS speaking test is failing to understand the question properly. This often leads to irrelevant answers that don't address what the examiner is actually asking. While it's fine to ask for clarification once, consistently misunderstanding questions shows a lack of comprehension. To avoid this, stay calm and listen closely. If you overlook something, it's permissible to say, 'Could you please repeat the question?' or 'I'm sorry, could you describe what you suggest by that?'—this does not drop your score. In fact, it delivers communication skills. During your training, practice recognising the question class—whether it's asking for thought, a portrayal, a comparison, or personal knowledge. Knowing the intent helps you shape your answer correctly. Remember, the purpose is not just to communicate in English but to convey effectively. If you're intending to take the IELTS online speaking test, sidestep these usual blunders. They may seem undersized, but they can decline your score. Start with your tech setup—check your internet and devices early. Then, focus on your speaking style. Don't sound memorized or robotic. Try to give comprehensive responses with adequate facts. Include regular practice with a reading mock test IELTS to build overall exam confidence and familiarity. Most importantly, practice often and ask for feedback. Repeat this cycle. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mini-Park Village opens as educational and career-focused space for kids
SOUTH FORK, Pa. (WTAJ) — A new Mini-Park Village that will educate children and help them explore careers is now open in South Fork. The South Fork Public Library, in partnership with the Forest Hills School District, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the opening. 'I'm just so excited to see it come alive again, because this park has sat here empty probably for 10 or 15 years, and it's such a beautiful location. And I told someone that the ironic part of this is that my father designed this park and was part of it being built in the 1970s,' Stacey Lewis, South Fork Library Treasurer, said. The Mini-Park Village is a dynamic educational and career-focused space that was made possible through the 'Building Opportunities Out-of-School Time' (BOOST) Grant awarded to both the School District and the town of South Fork. VA Medical Center celebrates women veterans with ceremony According to the library, the park offers hands-on learning experiences that promote career exploration, civic engagement, and real-world application of academic skills. 'I'm a former kindergarten and first-grade teacher, so I know the importance of dramatic play for children. That's how children learn and that's how they develop skills. So in each of the centers, there is a developmental skill, like maybe colors or shapes, and just hands-on activities for children to learn,' Lewis said. Educators, community leaders, and local government also supported this effort. 'So what this mini park is designed to do is really to start planting the seed in our youngest students that, you know, we can start thinking about our careers at a very young age, and there's boundless opportunities. And then in school, we learn what skills they need in order to develop the skills for those careers,' Robert Dill, Assistant Superintendent for Forest Hills School District said. In the winter, the toys and equipment will be moved, and the park will be flooded to create an ice skating rink. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Local middle schooler following his father's lead in news reporting
VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A South Vermillion 8th grader is following in his father's footsteps, as he currently serves as a 'Junior Reporter' for a local Wabash Valley newspaper. Vermillion-Parke On The Level (VPOTL) is a digital newspaper providing coverage in Vermillion and Parke counties daily. The newspaper was launched in June 2024, as a response to the discontinuation of The Clintonian, formerly known as the Daily Clintonian. Eric Jones, served as an editor for the local papers since 2003. With more than 22 years of experience, he created VPOTL to continue to cover local events, town halls, athletics, and meetings for the two counties in west central Indiana. 'Having local news, people reporting and telling people what's going on is a necessary aspect of a functioning community,' said Jones. 'If you do not have that local news, have that coverage, and have people keeping the public in the loop of what's going on, there are a lot of things that just don't work the way they should.' In recent years, Eric's son, Ethan has taken an interest in what his father does day in and day out. 'As a dad, it makes you really proud to see your kid stepping up, taking an interest in what you're doing, and wanting to be involved in things and involved in the community,' said Eric Jones. The 13-year-old first sparked a passion for photography, which gradually evolved his love for writing and journalism. Rightfully so, Ethan's favorite subject in school is English, and writing class. 'I feel like anyone who wants to do journalism should just go for the opportunity because as the world becomes more tech-involved, journalism is becoming less and less of a thing. You don't see as many newspapers running anymore, and its mainly going online,' said Ethan Jones. '(VPOTL) covers everything that happens in Parke and Vermillion County. And it is helpful for the community for us to cover those and keep the community informed.' When he's not busy with school, band practice, or theater performances, Ethan is out in the community covering stories, continuing to learn and grow his skills. 'I have a lot of things that happened during the school year. Over the summer, most of the stuff dies down, and so sometimes I don't get to cover things with dad. But, when I have the opportunity to, I go cover things with my dad mainly to get more experience with covering things, so that things go better with me writing,' said South Vermillion 8th grader. With that, Ethan's father explains how independent his son has grown to be over the years. Ethan is not only growing to be a young man but has now grown to be a reliable 'junior reporter'. 'It's not him following along behind me anymore. He's off doing things and I'm off doing things, and he handles his own side of things very well,' said Eric Jones, Editor for VPOTL. 'The writing side of it take a little bit more time, a little more practice to learn and he is getting into that. I always talk about the importance of taking complicated stuff and make it make sense to people that don't know anything about it.' With a few more years ahead, Ethan is focused on one day taking over Vermillion-Parke On The Level. The 13-year-old has aspirations to attend college and study Journalism, before returning to the newspaper his father launched and created. 'It's not always going to be me, I'm not going to be able to do this forever,' said Mr. Jones. 'I love the idea that he can learn from everything I've learned over the last 22 years. Somewhere along the way he would be able to pick up where I leave off. If not him, I hope that there will be someone willing to do that because I believe it is a necessity.' Looking ahead, the reporting duo looks forward to covering the upcoming 2025 Vermillion County Fair together that kicks off Saturday, June 14th and runs through Saturday, June 21st. 'I love working with my dad even when we make each other frustrated,' Ethan said laughing. 'Only sometimes.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
