Performance Standards and Categories used in STAAR
STAAR performance standards relate levels of test performance to the expectations defined in the state-mandated curriculum skills known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Cut scores established by the agency distinguish between performance levels, or categories. For STAAR the labels for the performance categories are
Masters Grade Level
Meets Grade Level
Approaches Grade Level
Did Not Meet Grade Level
Masters grade level* 
Performance in this category indicates that students are expected to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention. Students in this category demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar.
Meets grade level
Performance in this category indicates that students have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may still need some short-term, targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts.
Approaches grade level
Performance in this category indicates that students are likely to succeed in the next grade or course with targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts.