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TB Team

STAAR/SST

Verified Texas Education Agency updates on the Student Success Tool, STAAR reading language arts item types, statewide data, and Teach BIG classroom resources.

Purpose

Teach BIG STAAR/SST support prepares students for every item type the state uses, from multiple choice and multipart to hot text, text entry, inline choice, match table grid, SCR, and ECR. Every practice session mirrors the tools students meet on test day, including highlighting, answer eliminator, and text to speech.

SST updates

Newest TEA correspondence first. Teach BIG updates this list as official SST guidance is published.

  1. HB 8 implementation updates and SST resources

    TEA posted SST reporting prototype examples, expanded the HB 8 FAQ, and confirmed a required SST stand alone field test February 1 to 5, 2027. Alternative BOY and MOY assessment approvals are expected by October 2026.

    Source: House Bill 8 Update and Resources (TEA)

  2. 2027 to 2028 Student Assessment Testing Calendar

    The redesigned calendar lists BOY, MOY, and EOY windows for SST, replaces STAAR beginning 2027 to 2028, and notes SST Alternate (formerly STAAR Alternate 2) and updated reporting time frames under HB 8.

    Source: School Year 2027-28 Student Assessment Testing Calendar (TEA)

  3. House Bill 8 overview for school systems

    HB 8 (89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 2025) replaces STAAR with the Student Success Tool (SST) in 2027 to 2028, adds BOY, MOY, and EOY assessments for grades 3 to 8 and Spanish 3 to 5, and eliminates the English II EOC beginning 2027 to 2028.

    Source: Overview of House Bill 8 (TEA)

  4. STAAR Interim Assessments final year

    2026 to 2027 is the final school year districts may administer optional STAAR Interim Assessments. SST with BOY and MOY replaces interim assessments in 2027 to 2028.

    Source: STAAR Interim Assessments (TEA)

These windows change how you plan the year. Our seminars show where each one belongs in daily reading and writing instruction. See the workshops

STAAR question types

Redesigned STAAR reading language arts tests include technology enhanced formats. Each card links to TEA documentation.

  • Multiple choice

    Students select one best answer from several options.

    Example After reading a short paragraph about weather tools, a student picks the sentence that best states the main idea.

    TEA resource

  • Multipart

    Two or more linked questions share context; later parts may depend on earlier answers.

    Example Part A asks which detail supports an inference; Part B asks the student to explain how that detail supports the answer.

    TEA resource

  • Multiselect

    Students choose more than one correct option from a list.

    Example Select all phrases from the passage that show the character feels determined, not just one answer.

    TEA resource

  • Inline choice

    Students choose the correct word or phrase inside a sentence or paragraph.

    Example A sentence about revising includes drop down menus where the student picks stronger verbs or transitions.

    TEA resource

  • Hot text

    Students click or tap portions of a passage to show evidence or correct understanding.

    Example Highlight the two sentences in the article that best prove the author values conservation.

    TEA resource

  • Text entry

    Students type a brief response, such as a word, phrase, or short answer.

    Example Type the vocabulary word that completes the analogy using context from the stanza.

    TEA resource

  • Short constructed response (SCR)

    Brief written response scored with a prompt specific rubric. On RLA tests, reading SCRs use a 0 to 2 point scale and writing SCRs use a 0 to 1 point scale.

    Example In two or three sentences, explain how the diagram supports the section heading about the water cycle.

    TEA resource

  • Extended constructed response (ECR)

    Essay style response to a reading selection in informational or argumentative mode. Scored on a five point rubric for organization and development of ideas and conventions.

    Example Write a multi paragraph response explaining how the author develops the central idea, using evidence from the passage.

    TEA resource

Seeing the item type is the first step. Seminars show how those same formats show up in student work and how to practice them before test day. See the workshops

Distractor types

Teach BIG names common wrong answer patterns so students can defend their thinking. Released STAAR item rationales describe why specific options are incorrect.

  • Meaning shift

    The choice changes the author's meaning, tone, or emphasis even when some words look familiar.

    Practiced in Paraphrase It on TBASE.

  • Unsupported addition

    The choice adds an idea, cause, or detail that is not grounded in the passage.

    Practiced in Paraphrase It on TBASE.

  • Scope leak

    The choice is too broad or too narrow for what the question asks.

    Practiced in Paraphrase It on TBASE.

  • Missing piece

    The choice leaves out a required idea, relationship, or step in logical order.

    Practiced in Paraphrase It on TBASE.

  • Literal trap

    The choice repeats surface wording from the text but misses the inference or main idea.

    Practiced in Paraphrase It on TBASE.

  • Editorial trap (revising/editing)

    A choice looks like a small edit but breaks grammar, clarity, or the writer's purpose. Released item rationales explain why each wrong option fails.

    Modeled in Assessment Companion style checks and Daily Decks.

Attend our seminars to learn where and how every distractor appears and how to help students spot them right away. See the workshops

Data and statistics

I know the TEA website has so much information on it. This section points out the important things. Enjoy clicking below.

When a number surprises you, bring it to a seminar and we will connect it to the lessons that move that skill. See the workshops

Teach BIG research

Classroom tools and marketing mirrors that connect to our internal magazines, help docs, and cited research library.

The research explains why the routines work. Seminars show you how to use them with your own students. See the workshops

Flyers

Square social ready graphics on SST topics. Each image includes a TEA source line for sharing.

Each graphic opens on its own so you can read it or share it. Want the classroom version of these announcements? See the workshops

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