Here is the communication from TEA regarding shortened test
blueprints for STAAR for Grades 3-8 in Spring 2017. This communication
summarizes all content areas. TEA has posted the new blueprints under TEA STAAR
Resources. Here is the TEA link for mathematics: http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/staar/math/ Scroll down to Grade Level Mathematics Blueprint
(posted 11/01/16).
TEA has decreased the number of test questions on each of the STAAR grades 3 - 8 assessments. Grades 3 - 8 math tests have been shortened by 14 questions each. The decrease will spread proportionally across the reporting categories for each test. The change in the number of questions can be seen in the blueprints. Because the blueprint reduction was aplied proportionally across each test, the construct of what is assessed has not changed. Therefore the shortened tests can be equated and scaled using the same performance standards. However, the raw score for each assessment will shift because the total number of test questions has shifted.
In 2017, TEA will resume embedding field test questions for STAAR grades 3 - 8. The number of embedded field test questions for mathematics, reading, science, and social studies has also been reduced from 8 questions to 6 questions.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.