Houston ISD saw year-over-year improvement in two-thirds of the exam categories for the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, but local students were still outperformed by the state for some test groups, according to results released by the Texas Education Agency.
The TEA released statewide and district-specific test scores for the STAAR scores for grades third through eighth June 16. End-of-Course exam scores were released June 10. Science scores will be released July 31.
What you need to know
According to the TEA’s website, the agency uses a four-tiered grading system for student performance to score STAAR test performance in each subject:
- Did not meet grade level
- Approaches grade level
- Meets grade level
- Masters grade level
"Approaches grade level" is considered a passing score, with the TEA determining that students with this score are likely to succeed in the next grade or course, but could need targeted academic intervention, according to the website.
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
"This level of improvement is extraordinary. ... It means thousands more students are reading on grade level, mastering rigorous academic standards, and preparing for successful futures,” HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said via a June 18 news release from the district.
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
At the district level, most reading, math and EOC scores improved year over year.
The specifics
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
Meanwhile, the state outperformed HISD students in:
- Seventh and eighth grade math
- Third and fourth grade reading
- Eighth grade social studies
- English 1 and 2 EOC exams
Zooming out
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.
