The percentage of RISD students in grades 3-8 approaching grade level on the end-of-course assessments stayed at or a few points above or below the state average for each subject area, according to test results released Aug. 16 by the Texas Education Agency.
Context
This year, students took a newly redesigned STAAR, which was changed to make sure the standardized test is reflective of what students are learning in the classroom at various grade levels. Major changes include changing the types of questions, aligning text to better reflect curriculum and administering testing online.
RISD students in grades 3-8 took the STAAR on April 18-May 9.
The breakdown
In RISD, math scores increased the most in fifth grade, with 83% of students approaching grade level—up from 73% in 2022 and 82% prepandemic. In seventh grade, math scores fell dramatically, with 18% of students approaching grade level—down from 30% in 2022. The state average for math is 79% and 61% for fifth and seventh grades, respectively.
RISD scores for reading and science in grades five and eight, and eighth grade social studies each improved a few percentage points over 2022 scores. Reading increased the most in grade six, up five percentage points from 71% in 2022 to 76% this year. The state average for reading is 75% for sixth grade.
Put in perspective
Across the state, test scores dropped drastically following the pandemic, and local school districts are still working to address learning gaps. RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum previously told Community Impact district officials have focused on creating “engaging lessons that get kids excited about learning” while implementing strong tutoring and intervening when it’s clear a student doesn’t have grade-level understanding.
In 2021, the district received $70 million in federal funding to tackle learning loss related to the pandemic. Since then, officials have also used the Measures of Academic Progress assessment program to better understand how well students are performing.
Quote of note
“Teachers across Texas continue to work with passion and skill to help students learn,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath stated in a TEA news release. “This year’s results show the efforts of our educators continue to deliver improved results for students.”
Richardson ISD officials declined to comment on this year’s STAAR scores until a later date.
Learn more
Parents can login to www.texasassessment.gov to see their child’s STAAR results—including how their child answered each question on the test—and recommendations to help their child grow academically.
A breakdown of STAAR results by state, region, district and campus is available here.
