Which statement about the STAAR test is accurate?

The STAAR test, or State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, is designed as a criterion-referenced test. This is significant because criterion-referenced assessments measure students' knowledge and skills based on predetermined criteria or standards, in this case, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The purpose of the STAAR test is to evaluate how well students have mastered the TEKS, which outlines the educational standards for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.

By focusing on the specific skills and knowledge defined by the TEKS, the STAAR test provides detailed insights into a student's academic performance in relation to these standards, rather than comparing their performance to that of a broader group of peers (which would be the focus of a norm-referenced test). This alignment ensures that the results are meaningful for assessing whether students are on track with the state's educational expectations.