The student assessment program in Texas is designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills at each tested grade or course level.  

Texas has offered a statewide student assessment since 1980.  In the spring of 2012, Texas students began taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams.  The state also offered the STAAR L assessment for English Language Learners (ELL) students, the STAAR A assessment, an online acommodated version of the exam for eligible students, and the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment for students who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services.  In addition, the state offers the Texas English Language Proficiency System (TELPAS) assesment for all ELL students.  

Beginning Spring 2017, districts may administer the STAAR on paper and online in all grades and subjects.  Only the English versions of the online tests are availalble.  The enhanced online version of the STAAR eliminated the need for separate STAAR A and STAAR L test forms.  The STAAR EOC December 2016 Administration was the last time STAAR A and STAAR L were administered.  The online version of the STAAR with all 3 embedded accommodations and available accessibility features will be comparable to the features that were included in STAAR A.  The online version of the STAAR with language and vocabulary supports and text-to-speech will be comparable to the linguistic accommodations that were included in STAAR L.  

STAAR also includes an alternate form, STAAR Alternate 2 for special education students who meet specific eligibility requirements.  In addition to taking STAAR, English Language Learners (ELL) participate in the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) that measures progress in learning the English language.  Additionally, middle school students enrolled in high-school-level courses, such as Algebra, must take the corresponding STAAR End-of-Course exams.