TAKS Reading Practice and Overview

The TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) was replaced by the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) in 2012. The reading portion of the STAAR is administered to all Texas students in grades 3-8. Read on to find out what's on the STAAR and how your child can practice for it.

Find available tutors

Overview of the STAAR Reading Test

Test Content

The reading questions on the STAAR are based on the learning standards described in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). STAAR reading assessments emphasize your child's ability to make connections within and across various texts and to think critically about what she reads. Your child will be asked to go beyond a literal understanding of the text to make inferences and predictions based on the information presented. The test includes both fiction and non-fiction reading passages followed by multiple-choice questions.

Helping at Home

Strong fluency, comprehension and vocabulary skills are important for success on the reading portion of the STAAR. You can help your child improve these skills by encouraging him to read frequently for pleasure. It's a good idea to set aside 30 minutes each evening for silent reading. For younger children, you may want to alternate between reading aloud to your child and having him read silently. At the end of the half hour, you can ask your child to recall details about the book's characters, plot and setting.

Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Your child can also complete reading comprehension worksheets while preparing for the STAAR. RHL School has dozens of reading comprehension worksheets available on its website. Your child can complete a few worksheets each week for consistent practice. In addition, you can find free K-6th grade reading comprehension worksheets at tlsbooks.com.

Practice Tests

Shortly before the STAAR, your child can complete released questions and previous TAKS tests, which are available from the Texas Education Agency's website. You can make the experience more authentic by simulating the test environment in your home. Give your child a quiet, clean workspace and an uninterrupted block of time. By taking a practice test, your child will know what to expect on STAAR day and will be able to do his or her best. Students are typically allotted four hours to complete each STAAR test.

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

  • More Blog Articles
    Can Reading Bridge Racial, Socioeconomic Gaps?

    Study after study shows the achievement gap in education between students of different cultures and economic backgrounds. Recently, two New Jersey schools successfully used literature to show students how 'the other half lives'. Can this experiment be a model for other schools to use books to bridge racial and socioeconomic...

  • More Blog Articles
    Too Much Emphasis on Reading and Math?

    According to a large number of surveyed educators who teach grades 3-12, U.S. public schools are spending too much time on reading and math and not enough on other subjects. Yes, math and reading are important. But what about science, foreign languages and social studies?

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth