State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
STAAR End-of-Course (EOC)

• Criterion-referenced tests
• Administered to students in grades 3-8 and high school EOC
• Reading and mathematics are assessed annually
• Science and social studies are assessed at specific grade levels
• Grades 3-5 tests are available in English and in Spanish
• An alternate version is available for qualifying Special Education students
• Satisfactory performance on the five STAAR EOC assessments is a graduation requirement
• For additional information, see our STAAR page or the Texas Education Agency (TEA) STAAR website

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)

• Criterion-referenced test
• Administered in the spring semester to Emerging Bilingual Students in kindergarten through grade 12
• Measures English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing
• Results reported on a proficiency level scale: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced or Advanced High
• For additional information see the Texas Education Agency (TEA) TELPAS website

• Research-based progress monitoring tool
• Administered at the beginning of the school year (BOY), the middle of the year (MOY) and the end of the year (EOY) to prekindergarten students
• Measures and evaluates early literacy skills
• Results used to ensure that quality instruction is provided to meet each student’s needs

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth

• For all students in grades K-8
• Administered in the fall, winter and spring
• Growth through the school year and over multiple years is tracked
• Online tests that dynamically adapt based on student performance
• Measures whether a student performs on, above, or below grade level
• Assist teachers with planning instructional intervention aimed at meeting each student’s needs
• For additional information, see the NWEA’s website

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

• Online norm-referenced test
• Administered in the fall semester to students in grades K, 1 and 5
• Kindergarten and 1st grade take the CogAT Screener
• 5th grade takes the full CogAT battery
• Measures inductive and deductive reasoning abilities in the following tasks:
  • Verbal: analogies, classification, sentence completion
  • Nonverbal: figure matrices, paper folding, figure classification
  • Quantitative: analogies, series, puzzles
• Score reflects ability to identify relationships and demonstrate flexible thinking
• Results used to identify students who could participate in gifted and talented programs and magnet programs

• College entrance test that assesses knowledge in english, reading, mathematics and science (optional writing test is available)
• Measures educational development and academic preparedness
• Students may specify which colleges/universities receive their scores
• For additional information and registration see the ACT’s website

Taken each May by students enrolled in AP courses, the AP Exam is a standardized exam designed to measure how well a student has mastered the content and skills of the course. A successful score could earn you credit and advanced placement in college.

Learn more on our Advanced Placement (AP) page.

• Multiple-aptitude test
• Offered in the fall semester to students in grade 12
• Measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success, particularly for military recruitment
• Students who participate may access the Career Exploration website which allows independent research into military and civilian careers
• Additional career exploration to help students focus on potential areas of further education is available through the ASVAB website

Known as the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, the PSAT is a test designed to prepare students for the SAT. It helps measure college and career readiness. When students do well, they can qualify for academic recognition programs, increase their chances of getting a scholarship and help boost SAT scores.

Tests offered are the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) 8/9 and the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

• Standardized tests that provide practice for the SAT in reading, writing and mathematics
• Administered in the fall semester
  • PSAT administered to students in grades 8 and 9
  • PSAT/NMSQT administered to students in grades 10 and 11
  • Measure academic ability rather than memorization of content
  • Students who take the PSAT receive information from colleges of their choice
  • National Merit Scholarship Program eligibility is based on scores earned by grade 11 testers
  • For additional information, see our PSAT and SAT page.

The SAT is designed to measure college and career readiness. When students do well on these tests they can qualify for academic recognition programs and increase their chance of getting a scholarship.

We hold an annual Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)/SAT School Day for students to test.

• College entrance tests
• Administered in the spring semester to students in grade 11
• Measure abilities and existing knowledge in critical reading, writing and mathematics
• Students may specify which colleges/universities receive their scores
• For additional information, see our PSAT and SAT page.

The TSI-Assessment is a college readiness test for incoming college students in Texas. Performance determines whether students will be enrolled in a college-level course or put into a developmental course.

There are two tests: English Language Arts including an Essay and Math. Students can access the TSIA2 Student portal to receive a copy of their score report, send scores to colleges or to access practice resources.

Learn more about the TSIA2 on the TEA website.

• Allows students to earn course credit through testing
• Students who wish to take a credit by exam must be enrolled in a Garland ISD school to qualify
• For additional information see our Acceleration page and Credit by Exam page or contact the Research, Assessment & Accountability Department.

• Developed by district curriculum experts
• Administered primarily to students in grades 3-12 in English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies
  • Unit assessments given at the end of each instructional segment
  • Semester assessments given at the end of the fall and spring semesters
  • Measure understanding of the curriculum

Designed to provide teachers with a “check point” of knowledge and to help teachers develop a plan for additional instructional support for students