The trend is similar statewide, which also saw passing rates dip slightly, data shows.
The overview
Both AISD and the state overall saw slight improvements in scores for third grade reading, while AISD also saw similar trends in third grade math, data shows.
For math, grades 4-8 had slight decreases in rates of students approaching grade level, or who passed, within the district and state. TEA noted in a June 14 news release the decrease in math proficiency could be attributed to learning loss following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diving in deeper
While the district had declining passage rates compared to last year, AISD traditionally has higher passage rates compared to the state.
That trend continued this spring, with passage rates for AISD being higher than Texas overall, except for fifth grade math, data shows.
What else?
The 2024 STAAR were graded almost entirely by computers in an effort by the state to save money and make the grading system more efficient, according to a March presentation by TEA.
Other changes to the STAAR occurred in 2019 when House Bill 3906 mandated a redesign of the state’s standardized test, which was primarily administered through computers from that point forward. The updates also emphasized writing skills and a larger variety of questions, according to TEA.
To adjust to STAAR changes, AISD officials said they are striving to implement small-group instruction, install digital applications to use in the classroom to fill learning gaps and provide students with more opportunities to use academic vocabulary.
Quote of note
“We do put a lot of focus and emphasis on training of teachers,” said Jennifer Valdez, AISD’s deputy superintendent of academics, at the Aug. 13 board workshop. “We’re a fast-growing school district, and we constantly have new teachers. Even if they’re not new to the profession, they’re still new to Alvin [ISD], and sometimes I think that can get underestimated. I think we’re doing really well when you consider that we are constantly having so many additional teachers that we’re working with and training.”
