This spring, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments are replacing the four exit-level TAKS (Texas Assessments of Knowledge and Skills) exams as the state-mandated assessments that a student must pass in order to graduate. 

Students enrolled in grade 9 for the first time in the 2011-2012 school year will be required to take the STAAR EOC (end-of-course) assessments as part of their graduation requirement.  In addition to serving as assessment requirements for graduation, state law also requires that student performance on the new EOC assessments count for 15 percent of the student’s grade in the corresponding course. While the new law stipulates the requirement, it does not tell school districts how to factor test scores into the calculation of course grades and school districts are responsible for developing their own policies.

AISD is currently considering four grade conversion options and is seeking parent input on the suggested options. Beginning Monday, Jan. 30, parents can access an online survey about the four options on AISD's STAAR site. Parents also will be contacted to participate in a phone survey.

The Superintendent is committed to choosing a conversion methodology that serves the best interest of students while complying with the law, and she will strongly consider survey feedback in reaching her final decision. The Superintendent expects to announce the District’s decision by the end of March, so that the method of conversion can be communicated and clearly understood by students before they take the EOC assessments.