Transition to STAAR Online Assessments Implementation Guide - Purpose, Prerequisites, and Next Steps

Sep 29, 2026

Guide for Texas public school systems to meet Texas Education Code requirements by administering STAAR instruments electronically starting no later than the 2022–2023 school year. Provides district and campus administrators a structured process: identify system-level prerequisites for full online testing, assess network, hardware, and software readiness, and follow next-step actions when prerequisites are not met. Includes suggested success criteria informed by Texas districts already moved online, plus resource links from vendors and regional service centers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose and Audience

How to Use the Guide

Step 1: System-level prerequisites to implement full online testing

Prerequisite #1: Adequate Network Infrastructure

Prerequisite #2: Sufficient Hardware

Prerequisite #3: Up-to-date software

Transition to STAAR Online Assessments Implementation Guide PURPOSE: Per Texas Education Code 39.02341, all assessment instruments required under Sections 39.023a must be administered electronically beginning no later than the 2022-2023 school year. The purpose of this guide is to provide Texas public school systems with a list of prerequisites to online testing and next steps and resources to fulfill these requirements. The guide also includes additional criteria for a successful online implementation, next steps based on experiences from school systems that have already moved online, and links to resources and supports provided by the testing vendor and regional service centers. AUDIENCE: District and Campus Administrators. HOW TO USE: Step 1 of the chart below notes three prerequisites that must be in place for successful online assessment implementation. If a local education agency (LEA) does not meet all three prerequisites as laid out in the chart, they should refer to the action items in the ‘next steps’ column. Once everything in the Step 1 chart is met, LEAs can proceed to the Step 2 chart, which outlines success criteria and suggested actions for implementation success that are based on best practices from Texas public school systems that have already moved to online testing. STEP 1: System-level prerequisites to implement full online testing | Prerequisite \#1: Adequate Network Infrastructure
To be completed before the start of SY 2022-23 | Key question | Next steps if goal not met | | --- | --- | --- | | | Does each campus have the network infrastructure necessary to support online testing? | ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE:
• Determine what is needed for recommended network minimums (i.e., additional bandwidth, routers, extenders, proper configuration, QoS optimization) .
• Tap into existing networks for additional resources and support – many districts work with in-house technology personnel, third-party network consultants, and/or regional service center staff to determine what is needed and the steps to get there. ESCs can provide a range of services, such as technology consulting, E-Rate consortia, and serving as fiber internet service providers (ISPs) . (See List of Vendor and Regional Supports for Transition to Online document for more information.)
• During testing, the district needs to provide sufficient bandwidth and resources to the devices used for testing. Because ISPs generally provide a fixed rate of bandwidth, reducing bandwidth to sections of the school or district that are not participating in testing may be required. If needed, contact ISP to see if additional capacity can be added during testing windows. | | | Goal / Recommended Minimum | | | | 500 Kilobits per second (Kbps) per each concurrent tester.
Although this is the goal for online testing, the digital learning standard is 1 Megabits per second (Mbps) per student, as set by technology leaders across the nation (e.g., CoSN, SETDA). | | | | How to determine if you’ve met the goal | | | | Check each campus’s network bandwidth using Cambium’s Bandwidth Diagnostic Tool. This tool will provide throughput estimates for a network based on the expected number of concurrent testers. | | | | | • Apply for matching grant from TEA for network infrastructure needs.(More info about this matching grant will be released by early 2022 . )
• Tap into other funding sources to reallocate efforts towards internal connections and bandwidth (i.e., Technology and Instructional Materials Allotment, Emergency Connectivity Fund) .
• Apply and use E-Rate federal funds – Category 1 for increased bandwidth or last-mile fiber, and/or Category 2 for internal connections. Applications for FY22 are open from January to March 2022, and announcements are typically made in the fall. There are two routes district take for application:
o Apply as standalone district. Some districts bring in an E-Rate consultant (independent

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Transition to STAAR Online Assessments Implementation Guide?

The guide outlines prerequisites, next steps, and resources to help Texas public school systems meet the requirement to administer assessment instruments electronically by the 2022–2023 school year.

Who is the intended audience for this guide?

District and Campus Administrators.

What prerequisites must be in place before starting full online testing?

The guide identifies three system-level prerequisites: adequate network infrastructure, sufficient hardware, and up-to-date software, with recommended goals and actions if requirements are not met.

Sep 29, 2026

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