In a nutshell
Students in grade third to eighth grades are all tested in reading and math. Additionally, fifth- and eighth-grade students are tested in science, while eighth-graders are also tested in social studies.
The 2023 STAAR was redesigned to align the assessments closer to how students are taught in the classroom. The redesigned exams were administered online, barring exceptions for students requiring paper accommodations, and featured more questions that emphasized writing and were not multiple choice.
MISD’s scores surpassed the state average in all subjects.
“Teachers across Texas continue to work with passion and skill to help students learn,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a Texas Education Agency news release. “This year’s results show the efforts of our educators continue to deliver improved results for students.”
Sorting out details
When compared to the previous year, most passing score percentages in the reading exam stayed the same with some grade levels marginally increasing or decreasing. The biggest jump was in sixth grade, which increased from 78% passing in 2022 to 86% in 2023, according to TEA data.For the math exam, scores in third grade stayed the same year over year, while fourth to eighth grades showed academic growth.As for the science exams, fifth grade’s scores stayed the same while surpassing the state average by 11 percentage points. Scores in eighth grade improved from 86% passing in 2022 to 88% in 2023.In the eighth-grade social studies exam, the district’s scores stayed the same at 89% passing.One more thing
The TEA’s accountability ratings are set to be released Sept. 28 after months of revision to focus on students in need and align the performance of individual schools to their district. The TEA rates public school districts based on Student Performance, School Progress and Closing the Gaps for at-risk students. Individual campuses and districts receive A-F scores, which are meant to hold schools accountable and inform Texans about student performance.
