The Texas Education Agency released fifth- and eighth-grade statewide State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness summary results last week, and San Marcos CISD saw an increase in student scores from last year. The STAAR results were from the first exams taken in April. SMCISD fifth-graders saw a 7 percent increase in reading scores and a 5 percent increase in math scores. For SMCISD eighth-graders, the district saw a 5 percent increase in math scores, while there was a 4 percent decrease in reading scores. Across the state, there was an overall improvement in both fifth- and eighth-grade math scores, but students had varied results in reading. Students are required to pass the two exams in order to automatically advance to the next grade level and will have two more opportunities to pass the exams. How students perform on the exam affects how schools and districts are rated in the state’s annual accountability system. In August, the state will roll out its new accountability system, giving school districts letter grades for the first time. Campuses will continue to receive the Met Standard or Improvement Required labels until 2019, at which point they will start to receive A-F grades as well. See preliminary April 2018 results below: