The 2023 STAAR Reading test will include short and long response essay questions for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
The question on every teacher’s mind is: How do you write a GOOD STAAR essay?
TEA has said that they changed the STAAR Reading test, so questions are aligned to what teachers are actually teaching in their classrooms.
Although, many Texas third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers disagree. Students struggled enough with reading, understanding, and answering in-depth multiple-choice questions.
Now, on top of that students must write a well composed essay that answers a question about the STAAR reading passage and includes evidence from the text to support their answer.
Without a doubt, students need to learn strategies to write their STAAR essay effectively. Just as we teach students STAAR revise and edit strategies and STAAR reading strategies.
Additionally, they need plenty of opportunities to practice writing essays before the STAAR Reading Test.
These STAAR essay tips will help you and your students write GOOD STAAR essay.
STAAR Essay Rubric
Understanding the rubric is a key component to writing a good STAAR essay.
First of all, there are two types of STAAR essay questions. They include a short-constructed response and a long-constructed response.
The short constructed response question is worth a total of 2 points. This essay is scored solely on the answer, and points are not deducted for conventions.
There will be one long constructed response question on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade STAAR Reading test. This question will be scored on a 5 point rubric.
Students will receive up to three points for answering the question correctly and supporting their answer with evidence.
The additional two points will be for using correct conventions.
However, two people will be scoring the essay which brings the long constructed response total point value up to 10 points.
STAAR Constructed Short Response Question
The short constructed response question should be between two to five sentences long.
First, clearly state the answer and then use evidence from the text to support the answer.
Another short answer question that may be included on the STAAR Reading test is a question about revising a sentence.
Students may be asked to rewrite a sentence that repeats information or is awkward.
STAAR Constructed Long Response Question
The long response essay question on the STAAR reading test is worth a total of ten points.
Therefore, it is important to prepare your students for answering the STAAR essay question.
First, explain the question stem. The question itself is almost a page long (see example below). The actual question is in the second paragraph.
A commonly used and well-liked essay writing strategy is the RACE strategy.
To begin, students restate the question. Then they must answer all parts of the question. They must cite evidence from the passage to support their answer. Finally, they explain their answer.
Essays should include 3 to 5 paragraphs in order to answer the question completely.
More points are given to students who clearly state their central idea and organize their writing using transition words.
After completing the essay, it must be reread to ensure correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. These are all reasons that points could be taken away.
There are several sample essays in the TEA scoring guide that give both teachers and students an idea of what a STAAR essay should look like.
Practice Make Perfect
As you can see, it is necessary for students to have multiple opportunities to practice essay questions that are tied to a text.
Luckily, as you are reading novels, guided reading books, and passages in class, you can create essay questions and have your students answer them.
In addition to answering the question, be sure your students know how effectively type their answers since all STAAR testing is online.
I have created a STAAR Reading Strategies Bundle that includes an engaging, hands-on activity that teaches students how to answer long response and short response STAAR Essay questions.
Other Helpful Blog Post over the STAAR Reading Test
Teach to the Test: How to Prepare Students for the STAAR Reading Test
5 Ways to Keep Students Engaged in Your STAAR Reading Review
STAAR Reading Test Taking Tips
STAAR Revise and Edit Practice
STAAR Reading Resource Round Up
