STAAR Alternate 2 Update - November 7, 2017 - Key Dates, Verification, and 2017-2018 New Test Features

Oct 2, 2026

STAAR Alternate 2 Update dated November 7, 2017 outlines the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, describing eligibility conditions and required instructional supports. It lists 2017-2018 key dates for enrollment, training, preview, assessment, and verification, and explains how the verification window ensures accurate data submission and secure-document completeness. It also addresses enrollment after April 2, transfer testing rules, and introduces new test features for spring 2018, including color and large-print student booklets, font matrices, and image card sets.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages67

Reading Time2 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

Eligibility and assessment scope

Students who qualify for STAAR Alternate 2

2017-2018 key dates

Enrollment, training, preview, assessment, and verification

STAAR Alternate 2 verification window

Purpose and required actions

Students who enroll after the April 2 testing window

Transfer within or across districts rules

New test features (Spring 2018)

Color student booklets

Large print student booklets and font matrices

Image card sets

STAAR Alternate 2 Update Texas Assessment Conference November 7, 2017 Ange Wilkins, Manager, STAAR Alternate 2 STAAR Alternate 2 STAAR Alternate 2 is an assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disability/disabilities who: 􀂃 exhibit significant intellectual and adaptive behavior deficits in their ability to plan, comprehend, and reason, and ALSO indicate adaptive behavior deficits that limit their ability to apply social and practical skills such as personal care, social problem-solving skills, dressing, eating, using money, and other functional skills across life domains. 􀂃 are NOT identified based on English learner designation or solely on the basis of previous low academic achievement or the need for accommodations. 􀂃 require extensive, direct individualized instruction as well as a need for substantial supports that are neither temporary nor specific to a particular content area. 2017-2018 STAAR ALTERNATE 2 KEY DATES 􀂃 NEW Enrollment Collection: Oct. 23 – Nov.10, 2017 􀂃 Last Date for Test Administrator Training: March 16, 2018 􀂃 Preview Window: March 19-30, 2018 􀂃 Assessment Window: April 2-20, 2018 􀂃 Verification Window: April 23 & 24, 2018 All keySTAAR Alternate 2 dates are referenced in the Test Administrator Manual (TAM) & District and Campus Coordinator Manual (DCCM). 2017-2018 STAAR ALTERNATE 2 STAAR Alternate 2 Verification Window 􀂃 The verification window for STAAR Alternate 2 is April 23-April 24, 2018. The window closes at 5 p.m. (CST) on April 24. The verification window is intended to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data submitted in the Assessment Management System and the collection of secure documents. 􀂃 If during the verification process it is realized that a student has not been tested, then the student must be tested during the verification window. 􀂃 If during the verification process it is realized that a student’s data has been omitted, the data should be entered during the verification window. 2017-2018 STAAR ALTERNATE 2 Students Who Enroll AFTER April 2, 2017 Students who transfer/move to anew district after the first day of the STAAR Alternate 2 testing window do not have to be tested. Students who transfer within the same district after the first day of the STAAR Alternate 2 testing window still must be tested by the district where the student is enrolled. NEWTEST FEATURES COLOR STUDENT BOOKLETS 􀁸 Spring 2018: Introduced for the first time 􀁸 2018 administration will have limited color images 􀁸 Exit survey will be utilized to gauge test administrator satisfaction with color format 􀁸 TEA will analyze the impact of the new format on student performance. LARGE PRINT STUDENT BOOKLETS 􀁸 Spring 2018: Introduced for the first time 􀁸 Ordered through the enrollment collection process 􀁸 Districts must enter a number to receive large print tests. The count in the Assessment Management System will default to zero. 􀁸 The number of large print booklets ordered should be based on students who require an accommodation of enlarged text or images. LARGEPRINT STUDENT BOOKLET FONT AND POINT SIZE MATRICES 􀁸 UPDATED to include STAAR Alternate 2 Large-Print Student Booklet 􀁸 Coming Soon 􀁸 Accommodation Resources > 2018 Accessibility Resources > Related Resources STAAR Alternate 2 Image Card Sets 􀂃 Spring 2018: Introduced for the first time 􀂃 One card set per standard size student booklet 􀂃 Perforated cards: four cards on a 8 ½ X 11 page 􀂃 Cards contain the same images and answer choices that appear in the student test booklet 􀂃 Reduces burden on teacher for photocopying and preparation of images 􀂃 Photocopying policy has not changed

FAQs

What students are eligible for STAAR Alternate 2?

STAAR Alternate 2 is for students with the most significant cognitive disability/disabilities who show significant intellectual and adaptive behavior deficits affecting planning, comprehension, and reasoning, as well as limits on applying social and practical skills. Eligibility also requires extensive, direct individualized instruction and substantial supports that are neither temporary nor limited to a specific content area.

What is the purpose of the STAAR Alternate 2 verification window?

The verification window (April 23–April 24, 2018) is intended to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data submitted in the Assessment Management System and the collection of secure documents. If a student was not tested or data was omitted, the actions must be completed during the verification window.

Which new test features are introduced for Spring 2018?

Spring 2018 introduces color student booklets (with limited color images) and large print student booklets ordered through the enrollment collection process. It also updates font and point size matrices for the large-print booklet and adds STAAR Alternate 2 image card sets, with one card set per standard-size student booklet.

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Mafia Boss