In addition to regular test and quizzes within class, Mesquite ISD students are tested other times during the year through benchmark exams to measure how well they are learning the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the course work for each subject and grade. Once a year in the spring, students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), a statewide exam that provides the information necessary to ensure that each school and the district are meeting state and federal education goals.
College readiness exams are also an important test for our high school students and MISD offers every student one free SAT administration either their 11th or 12th grade year. There are three tests students can take for college: the SAT, the ACT, and the TSIA, each with different scores, dates, and reasons. Reach out to the Advanced Academics Team and counselors on your campus for help navigating the college process.
For most students, taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in May serves as the natural culmination of their AP course experience. For more information about Advanced Placement in MISD visit our AP webpage.
What is the ACT?
NOTE: MISD administers the SAT to all Juniors each spring. Contact your campus for more information.
What is the SAT?
SAT Practice and Prep
The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative enacted by the Texas State Legislature and designed to determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.
The TSIA, or one of its exemptions, has been required of Texas students entering a Texas college or university for nearly ten years. The TSIA is administered through the College Board’s Accuplacer digital platform. Universities, community colleges, school districts and high school campuses can request to administer the TSIA to students.
The TSIA tests measures readiness for College-level English and Math. Most colleges require the TSIA upon admittance. This test can be given any time during the student’s high school years.
State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
Introduced in 2012, the STAAR program assesses reading and mathematics for all students in grades 3-8, science for students in grades 5 and 8, and social studies for students in grade 8.
For high school students there are five STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History (visit the STAAR EOC page to learn more about the end-of-course testing program and its impact on graduation eligibility).
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides extensive STAAR resources on its website. The resources are intended to help individuals understand how the STAAR program measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards. The resources are intended to support, not narrow or replace, the teaching of the state-mandated curriculum, the TEKS.
Mesquite ISD is committed to keeping its students and families informed of the changes by TEA related to the STAAR tests and end-of-course assessments. Adjustments are expected from state officials as the Texas Education Agency continues to clarify questions and concerns regarding STAAR testing program implementation.
All EOC STAAR test administrations for out-of-school students will be given at:
Mesquite Academy
2704 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150
972-882-7299