Campus Location
Abilene Campus
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2026
Document Type
Manuscript
Department
Teacher Education
Degree Name
Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
First Advisor
Dana Mayhall
Second Advisor
Andrew Huddleston
Abstract
In this action research article, the author examines the perceptions of the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test, which is a standardized exam of accountability, from eighth grade students. With the changes and critiques coming out for standardized testing, questioning of testing is also beginning to surface. This study examines eighth grade students, who took multiple STAAR tests, for the sake of understanding their perceptions and learning. Two classes, one academic Reading Language Arts (RLA) and one Honors RLA class were observed and interviewed. The author found that students have high amounts of pressure and emotions when thinking about this test. This included pressures to perform well, stress/dread of the testing process, and frustration with the test preparation. Students also show empathy towards their peers and teachers, as well as an understanding of the testing purposes of showing growth.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Burpee, Ashley M., "Preparing Mentally for a Test: Students’ Perceptions of the ELAR STAAR Test in Eighth Grade" (2026). Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning. 91.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/metl/91
Included in
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons