Lake Travis ISD Matters: Recent Episodes
Lake Travis Independent School District
In this episode of Lake Travis ISD Matters, we discuss changes to the STAAR test, how the changes affect our students, and family resources. Our guest is Kathy Burbank the LTISD Director, Accountability & Assessment.
Resources:
- LTISD Website under Families - STAAR Information: https://www.ltisdschools.org/staar
- Information about STAAR can be found on the Texas Education Agency website: https://www.texasassessment.gov/staar.html
- Access for students (and others) to the online practice tests: Practice Tests
- STAAR Redesign Videos from ESC Region XIII
What is the STAAR test?
STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state’s student testing program. The assessments are based on the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), which are the state curriculum standards. STAAR tests show whether a student has mastered specific knowledge of a core subject at a certain grade level. Test results should provide parents assurance that their child is prepared to enter the next grade level. Finally, the results provide educators and administrators with uniform information about where to focus resources. The performance levels for STAAR are did not meet grade level, approaches grade level, meets grade level, and masters grade level. “Approaches”, “meets” and “masters” are considered passing.
Why do students take the STAAR test?
STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. The goal is to ensure that all students receive what they need to be academically successful. Meeting these individual student needs depends greatly on schools, parents, and community members working together.
- State-required assessments are identified in TEC §39.023 and §39.027
- Federal-required assessments are identified in ESEA section 1111(b)(2) (page 23)
When will students take the 2023 STAAR test?
There is a window for when campuses can administer the STAAR Assessments. Here are the dates LTISD has selected for the Spring of 2023.
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023: Grades 3-8 Reading Language Arts
- Tuesday, April 25, 2023: Grades 5 and 8 Science
- Wednesday, April 26, 2023: Grade 8 Social Studies
- Wednesday, May 3, 2023: Grades 3-8 and Middle School Algebra 1
High School Schedule for EOC’s (End of Course)
- English I – Monday, Apr 24, 2023
- English II – Tuesday, Apr 25, 2023
- Biology – Wednesday, Apr 26, 2023
- US History – Thursday, Apr 17, 2023
- Algebra 1 – Tuesday, May 2, 2023
*Contact your child’s campus for makeup dates
What is new for the 2023 STAAR test?
The 86th Texas Legislature in 2019 passed House Bill 3906 which required the STAAR test to be redesigned with new items types that are not multiple choice type questions. Reading Language Arts exams will assess both reading and writing in grades 3-8 and English I and English II End of Course exams. The assessments shifted from a standalone writing prompt to writing in response to a reading selection.
When will the 2023 STAAR test scores be available?
May 22 - Districts will receive raw scores for grades 3-8 (but not performance levels)
May 31 - Districts will receive End of Course (English I, English II, Algebra 1, Biology, US History) performance levels
August 11 - Final results are posted in the Family Portal for EOC’s
August 16 - Final results are posted in the Family Portal for grades 3-8
How do I access the 2023 STAAR test scores?
Access to the Family Portal through Skyward Family Access
Unique Student Access Code is posted in Texas Assessments
Direct link to the Family Portal
To learn more about Lake Travis ISD visit our website at www.ltisdschools.org. Follow Lake Travis ISD (@ltisdschools) on these social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
In this episode, we will be discussing all things mental health with our guests Jennifer Lyon, LTISD Director of Health & Social Emotional Learning, Lace Branker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rachael Macomber, Licensed Masters of Social Work, and two students from Lake Travis High School Breathe Initiative club. We will be covering student, parent and staff support for mental health in Lake Travis ISD.
Visit the LTISD Parenting Video Series webpage for recordings and more information regarding the series.
Follow the Lake Travis High School Social Workers (@laketravishs_socialworkers) and the Lake Travis High School Breathe Initiative club (@ltbreatheinitiative) on Instagram.
Follow Lake Travis ISD (@ltisdschools) on these social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
On this episode of Lake Travis ISD Matters, we’re talking bond election with Superintendent Paul Norton and C.F.O. Pam Sanchez. We cover general information about the election propositions as well as address some common questions and concerns.
Early voting will occur Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Learn more about the Lake Travis ISD November 8, 2022 bond election on our website at www.ltisdschools.org/bond.
Lake Travis ISD Matters is hosted by Marco Alvarado, the Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Lake Travis Independent School District located in Austin, TX. The purpose of our podcast is to take a deeper dive into matters that are important to our school community.
This is a preview for our second episode of Lake Travis ISD Matters, the official podcast of the Lake Travis Independent School District.
On episode 2, we are talking bond election with Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Paul Norton and C.F.O. Pam Sanchez. We cover general information about the election propositions as well as address some common questions and concerns.
Early voting is Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Learn more about the Lake Travis ISD November 8, 2022 bond election on our website at www.ltisdschools.org/bond.
A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, is set for November 2, 2021. Lake Travis ISD is asking voters to consider increasing the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate while simultaneously decreasing the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate by the same amount. Specifically, Lake Travis ISD would move two pennies to the M&O tax rate by taking those same two pennies from the I&S tax rate. As a result, the total tax rate would remain the same $1.2301 whether or not the 2021 VATRE is approved by voters. However, Lake Travis ISD could see an additional $3 million annually in operating revenue. The VATRE will appear on the November 2, 2021 election ballot.
In this inaugural episode of our Lake Travis ISD Matters podcast, our host, Marco Alvarado, speaks with the Lake Travis ISD Superintendent of Schools and Chief Financial Officer in detail about the VATRE and its effect on LTISD.
Learn more on our VATRE webpage: www.ltisdschools.org/vatre.
Early voting starts Monday, October 18 and ends Friday, October 29, 2021. Early voting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. on Sunday. Election day is Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Election day voting locations are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This promotional audio clip introduces the inaugural episode of Lake Travis ISD Matters, the official podcast of the Lake Travis Independent School District.
In our first episode, we talk to Paul Norton, LTISD Superintendent of Schools, and Pam Sanchez, LTISD Chief Financial Officer, about our upcoming Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).
Lake Travis ISD Matters is hosted by the Marco Alvarado, LTISD Executive Director of Communications & Community Relations.
Learn more about Lake Travis ISD by visiting our website ltisdschools.org.
Lake Travis ISD Matters is the official podcast of the Lake Travis Independent School District.