Lessons learned from the 2023 3rd Grade Math STAAR

The 2023 3rd Grade Math STAAR introduced statewide online testing and several new item types. Using a modified version of the statewide item analysis report, I examined the readiness standards that had less than 50% mastery. Each standard has both an analysis of the items themselves to infer what made them so difficult and instructional implications for educators to ensure a more successful 2024 STAAR test.

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Standard	# of items	% mastery
3.5A	2	19.5
3.7B	1	27
3.4K	1	28
3.6A	2	38.5
3.4A	2	44.5
3.5B	2	47
3.5E	2	62

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Access the slide deck here.

3.5A - 19.5% overall mastery

represent one- and two-step problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers to 1,000 using pictorial models, number lines, and equations

#7 - 31% correct

#23 - 8% correct

Analysis

• Students had to interpret a problem situation and apply it to three possible representations - equations, number lines, and strip diagrams

• For #24, most chosen answer was step 1 of the 2-step solution

Instructional Implications

• Have students, when answering word problems for addition and subtraction, represent their answers three ways - equations, number lines, and strip diagrams

• Students should draw their own pictures and solve the problem before trying to find the correct strip diagram representation

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3.7B - 27% overall mastery

determine the perimeter of a polygon or a missing length when given perimeter and remaining side lengths in problems

#21 - 27% correct

Analysis

• Students had no visual to support their understanding

• Answer selections suggest guessing

Instructional Implications

• Have students draw a rectangle and label it with length and (missing) width

• Introduce students to the formula for perimeter than they will start to use in 4th grade, P = 2L + 2W

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Watch the full walkthrough of all 30 items on the 2023 3rd Grade STAAR below.

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3.4K - 28% overall mastery

solve one-step and two-step problems involving multiplication and division within 100 using strategies based on objects; pictorial models, including arrays, area models, and equal groups; properties of operations; or recall of facts

#15 - 28% correct

Analysis

• Students had to recognize that only two numbers were multiplied together (11 and 7) while the third number was subtracted

• Distribution of answer choices suggests guessing

Instructional Implications

• Have students practice drawing pictures to help solve problems like this, visualizing the 11 cages of 7 birds each

• Give students the opportunity to check for reasonableness by substituting their answer into the question (e.g., 56 is the greatest number of birds Martin can add to his cages)

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3.4A - 44.5% overall mastery

solve with fluency one-step and two-step problems involving addition and subtraction within 1,000 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and the relationship between addition and subtraction

#9 - 29% correct

#17 - 60% correct

Analysis

• For #9, over half of the students (51%) chose option A, simply adding the three numbers on the table

• Students had to include a number not in the table (27) into the starting total

• Almost ¼ of the incorrect choices on #17 used addition

Instructional Implications

• Have students create their own representation to see if it matches the one provided on the test

• Students should create their own representation if one is not provided

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3.5B - 47% overall mastery

represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using arrays, strip diagrams, and equations

#4 - 40% correct

#29 - 54% correct

Analysis

• For #4, all four strip diagrams used the numbers 8 and 32

• Distribution of wrong answers for #4 was similar (24%, 19%, 17%)

• For #29, answer distribution showed students understood equal groups (A & B = 82%)

Instructional Implications

• Explain to students meaning of frequently used terms (e.g., total, equal number)

• Have students solve for the answer and substitute into the representations

• Have students draw a picture or strip diagram before finding the equation

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3.5E - 62% overall mastery

represent real-world relationships using number pairs in a table and verbal

#12 - 51% full credit, 25% partial credit, 24% no credit

#19 - 49% full credit, 21% partial credit, 30% no credit

Analysis

• Answer for #12 was given in text (i.e., sends a free gift with each order)

• Students had to interpret tables that were oriented horizontally and vertically

• Both questions had students describe the relationship in words rather than with a number sentence or rule (e.g., +1)

Instructional Implications

• Students should answer practice problems of this type both orally with a partner and in writing

• In students answers, be sure to include the specifics of the problem (e.g., number of items ordered, number of fish)