The trend is similar statewide, which also saw passing rates dip slightly, data shows.
Friendswood ISD
Despite slight declines, Friendswood ISD saw improvements in third and eighth grade reading, data shows.
For math, every grade but fourth in grades three through eight had slight decreases in rates of students approaching grade level, or who passed, within the district and state. The TEA noted in a June 14 news release the decrease in math proficiency could be attributed to learning loss following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both Pearland ISD and the state overall saw slight improvements in fourth grade reading, while PISD also saw similar trends in fifth grade reading, data shows.
For math, every grade but fifth in grades three through eight had slight decreases in rates of students approaching grade level within the district and state.
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 the 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 the TEA.
While the STAAR results for grades three through eight have been released, the TEA was blocked once again from releasing its A-F accountability ratings for Texas school districts and campuses on Aug. 12.
Texas’ A-F system, designed in 2017, gives parents insight about the quality of their children’s school. If a campus or district receives a failing grade for several years in a row, the state can intervene.
The block stems from a lawsuit filed Aug. 12, in which five public school districts said the TEA has not been transparent about changes to its accountability system and failed to fix issues made last year.
The plaintiffs also expressed concerns that “it is not mathematically possible” for many schools to receive an A rating under the new system, which is more rigorous. For example, the TEA raised the “A” threshold for a metric evaluating student preparedness for college, a career or the military from 60% to 88%.
What they said
While FISD and PISD were not among the plaintiffs, officials at FISD say the district is met with “mixed emotions” in regards to the decision to block the A-F accountability ratings.
“We do feel the A-F system oversimplifies the complexities of school performance and fails to account for varying student demographics and challenges faced by public school districts, as well as the danger of presenting narrow focus on test scores alone rather than a holistic approach to education,” Lauren Ambeau, FISD’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said in an email Aug. 16. “However, if A-F ratings will continue to be utilized, we feel releasing the ratings in a timely manner will provide essential transparency, allowing parents, educators and policymakers to gauge school performance at a glance and take necessary action.”
PISD Superintendent Larry Berger said PISD will continue to adjust STAAR curriculum processes.
“While STAAR district and campus ratings provide an overview of student progress, the absence of a released rating does not change educational processes for Pearland ISD,” Berger said in an email Aug. 20. “Pearland ISD will continue to focus on the day-to-day learning experiences. We will use individual STAAR performance data and beginning or year formative assessment to support tier 1 instruction and any scaffolded or extended instruction needed by our students.”
