FILE – In this Feb. 12, 2015, file photo, sixth grade students use a practice session to prepare for the the Common Core State Standards Test at Morgan Elementary School South in Stockport, Ohio.

Shellie Ross of Wesley Rankin Community Center (right, holding “Reach for the STAARS” sign) takes part in a pep rally to welcome students at Edison Middle Learning Center on STAAR testing day. Erika ...

UPDATE, June 25: This story has been edited to include comments from Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde. A sharp spike in the number of Texas students who scored a zero on the writing ...

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, known as STAAR , are a series of state-mandated standardized tests used in Texas schools to assess a student’s achievements and knowledge. Diane ...