What is the STAAR test?

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. It is Texas’ statewide testing program and is based on the Texas curriculum standards, called the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). The purpose of STAAR is to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether they are ready for the next one. TEA also says the results help schools, teachers, and families understand where students are doing well and where they may need more support.

In 3rd grade, students take STAAR in Reading Language Arts and Math. These assessments are given online in Texas public schools.

For Spring 2026, the STAAR testing windows are:

Reading Language Arts: April 6–17, 2026
Math: April 20–May 1, 2026

Why does STAAR matter?

STAAR is one way the state checks how well students are learning the grade-level skills they are expected to know. It is not meant to define a child or tell the whole story about their abilities. It is simply one piece of information that can help schools and families better understand a child’s academic progress.

For parents, the results can be helpful because they show strengths, areas of need, and where more support may be needed going forward. Through the Texas Assessment Family Portal, parents can also review their child’s results, see test questions and answers from spring STAAR administrations, and access resources to support learning at home.

What should parents expect?

Because STAAR is now online, students may see more than just multiple-choice questions. The redesigned STAAR includes new question types, such as inline choice, multi-select, and multi-part. It also includes cross-curricular passages, and evidence-based writing, such as short and extended constructed responses in Reading Language Arts. TEA says the redesign was intended to make the assessment feel more aligned to classroom learning.

For 3rd grade Reading Language Arts, students may need to read passages, answer questions, and write responses based on what they read. Official TEA resources for Grade 3 Reading Language Arts are available for families and schools through the state’s RLA resources page. TEA Family Resources

6 Ways Parents Can Help at Home

The best support is usually simple and consistent. Parents do not need to turn home into a test-prep center. A calm routine and a little daily practice can go a long way.

Parents helping at home can help set a positive tone!

1. Keep the tone calm

Try not to talk about STAAR as something scary or high-pressure. When parents stay calm, kids usually feel calmer too.

You can say things like:

“This is a chance to show what you know.”
“Just do your best.”
“One test does not define you.”

2. Read together!

For Reading Language Arts, read short passages, stories, or articles together. Ask simple questions such as:

What was this mostly about?
What happened first, next, and last?
What detail helped you know the answer?

This builds comprehension without making it feel too much like test prep.

3. Let your child explain what they’re thinking

In both reading and math, ask your child to explain how they got an answer. This helps them practice the kind of thinking they may need on the test.

4. Use official practice resources

Texas provides official STAAR resources for Reading Language Arts, including grade-level materials. Using official resources can help your child become more familiar with the format without overdoing practice. You can access practice resources by going to Texasassessment.gov . Practicing can be helpful! A few minutes a day is enough. Ten to fifteen minutes of reading, reviewing math facts, or talking through simple questions is often more helpful than long, stressful practice sessions.

Setting a bedtime routine for the night before the test is important.

5. Protect sleep and routine

A rested child will handle testing much better than a tired one. In the days leading up to the test, keep bedtime as consistent as possible and make mornings calm and predictable.

6. Keep perspective

It helps to remind your child that STAAR is important, but it is not everything. Kids do better when they feel supported, not pressured.

After the Test

STAAR results are reported in four categories: Did Not Meet, Approaches, Meets, and Masters Grade Level. Students who score at Approaches Grade Level or higher have passed. These categories can help parents understand how much support a child may need moving forward.

Whatever the result, the goal is to use the information in a helpful way. A score is not a label. It is a tool that can help guide next steps.

Stress Less….

If your 3rd grader is taking STAAR for the first time, it is okay if it feels like a big milestone. The most helpful thing parents can do is keep preparation simple, steady, and encouraging.

Your child does not need perfection. They need calm support, practice that feels manageable, and reminders that they are more than a test score.

What Parents of 3rd Graders Should Know About STAAR