Houston ISD sees year-over-year gains in most 2026 STAAR subjects

What’s changed

Of the 18 grade levels and subjects for which scores were released, year-over-year performance in HISD:

• Improved in 12
• Declined in five
• Saw no change in one

The largest changes in year-over-year performance within HISD are:

• The seventh grade math test, which dropped to 46%, approaching grade level this year, compared to 55% in 2025
• The English 1 EOC exam, which rose to 69%, approaching grade level this year, versus 61% in 2025
• The eighth grade reading test, which increased to 84%, approaching grade level this year, compared to 77% in 2025

For 2026, HISD’s scores were higher than statewide totals in eight categories, and the district tied with state totals in three categories, according to the June 16 results. HISD scores outranked statewide totals in:

• Third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade math
• Sixth, seventh and eighth grade reading
• Biology EOC exam

• Seventh and eighth grade math
• Third and fourth grade reading
• Eighth grade social studies
• English 1 and 2 EOC exams

In a June 16 news release from the TEA, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said this year’s STAAR scores show both student progress and more work to be done.

"We are encouraged by continued gains in mathematics, especially with the growing number of students participating and succeeding in advanced mathematics courses,” Morath said. “The gains in middle school reading are also notable, as it may be associated with the statewide ban on the use of cell phones in schools."

What parents should know

Families can access their child’s results at www.texasassessment.gov using their unique access code from the district.

Brooke Sjoberg contributed to this report.