Willis ISD falls behind region for STAAR scores

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness results for the spring were released Aug. 15, showing how districts in the state placed in subjects such as reading, math, science and social studies for third to eighth grades. The results showed although students have been improving since the pandemic, more than half are still struggling with math and reading.

The overview

The testing scores revealed Willis ISD is behind the state and the Region 6 service area in all subjects and grades. Compared to other districts in Montgomery County, including Conroe, Magnolia and Montgomery ISDs, WISD's scores were the lowest. The largest percentage point differences were in math and science.

• The largest gap was in eighth-grade science. Students performed 19 percentage points under the regional score.
• The next biggest gap was in eighth-grade math with a 17-point difference. Seventh grade followed with a 16-point difference.
• Scores for fifth-grade science and eighth-grade social studies were also in a negative double-digit-point difference at 12 and 11.
• Students were behind in all grades for reading and math.
• The closest margin was in fifth-grade reading. Students were 1 percentage point from meeting the regional score.

A closer look

Despite still being under regional scores, the percentage of students approaching grade level in Willis ISD did see some improvement in certain categories from spring 2022 to spring 2023. However, other categories saw a decrease.

• Scores improved significantly in sixth-grade reading from 59% to 70%.
• Sixth-grade math also improved from 63% to 69%.
• Scores also improved in eighth-grade reading; third-, seventh- and eighth-grade math; and eighth-grade social studies.
• Seventh-grade reading scores had a lower percentage point difference of 6.
• Fifth-grade math scores had a percentage point difference of 4.

What they are saying

"While we are not pleased with our scores, we know that our teachers are working hard to enhance student learning," interim Superintendent Tom Crowe said in an emailed statement. "We know we have work to do. We are focusing our efforts on student learning more than test scores. Improving our strategies for teaching while focusing on student learning will have the effect of raising scores naturally."

On the other hand

STAAR results also include ​​​​​end-of-course assessments, which did see improvement year to year. The district performed better in all EOC tests compared to last spring.

• Scores were 5 percentage points better in Algebra.
• Scores were 2 percentage points better in Biology, English 1 and English 2.
• Scores were 3 percentage points better in U.S. History.
• Despite the improvement, the district was still under regional scores in all EOC assessments.