All About the STAAR Alternate 2 Test
Your Child and the STAAR Alternate 2 Test
This assessment is for students who have been determined to have the most significant cognitive disability and meet the state's participation requirements for STAAR Alternate 2.
Click Here to Learn About the Definition of Significant Cognitive Disability as Adopted by Texas
Information for Parents About the STAAR Alternate 2 Test
| Who? | Students who have been determined to have a most significant cognitive disability and meet the state's participation requirements for STAAR Alternate 2. |
| What? | TEA has developed the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment to meet the federal requirements mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a federal education law previously known as No Child Left Behind. |
| When? | STAAR Alternate 2 tests are given in the spring. The number of tests your child takes each year depends on what grade he or she is in for grades 3–8 or if the student is enrolled in high school courses that have an end-of-course (EOC) test. The STAAR Alternate 2 assessment is administered during a five-week administration window and may include breaks as needed depending on the individual student. |
| Where? | STAAR Alternate 2 tests are given to students at their own school or an alternate site in special circumstances. The testing environment is adjusted to avoid distractions and arranged in in ways that ensure each student's individual accommodations are available. |
| Why? | STAAR Alternate 2 tests are designed to measure student learning according to academic curriculum and to inform the educational program for each individual student. The goal is to ensure that all students get what they need to be academically successful. Meeting these individual student needs depends greatly on schools, parents, and community members working together. |
| How? | STAAR Alternate 2 tests for grades 3–8 and EOC are only offered in paper formats. |
Want More Details About the Specifics of the STAAR Alternate 2 Test?
Testing Calendar
All STAAR Alternate 2 tests are given during a five-week administration window during the spring semester. Download this calendar to find out when your child will be tested in the coming school year.
Download the Testing Calendar
Helpful Links
Check out the links below to quickly get where you need to go:
STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate Resources
Special Education Information and Call Center
Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES)
This program gives one-time $1500 grants to families of students served by special education.
