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Castleberry adjusts 8th‑grade social studies to match STAAR redesign, staff say
Summary
Social studies coordinator Kelly James told the board the district aligned unit tests to STAAR redesign, increased vertical alignment and added daily STAAR spiral review; staff said overall performance remains above end‑of‑year goals despite a tougher redesigned test.
Kelly James, the district social studies coordinator, presented actions the district is taking to raise 8th‑grade social studies performance in light of the STAAR redesign. James said unit tests are now created using STAAR‑redesign release questions, teachers use daily STAAR spiral review and PLC vertical alignment to shore up gaps between 6th–8th grade standards.
"Although scores from benchmark 1 this year are lower than benchmark 1 last year, it is important to note that last year's benchmark was built from STAAR questions prior to the redesign," James said, adding that when comparable redesign‑aligned benchmarks are compared the district is seeing positive gains. James highlighted planning and calibration work planned for January and February and described more practice with primary/secondary sources and short constructed responses to build students' application skills.
The board had no formal action; staff will report benchmark 2 results and continue calibration and pacing adjustments.
