What you need to know
However, Magnolia ISD third- to eighth-grade students outperformed the state in all but one category in reading, math and science as well as in all end-of-course assessments.
- The district only fell behind the state in the percentage of students approaching grade level for eighth-grade math.
- Students in the district performed 24 percentage points better in social studies than the state score.
- MISD students averaged six percentage points higher in all 15 categories.
- District end-of-course assessments scores were better than the state for all five subject areas.
According to House Bill 3906, the STAAR was taken almost exclusively online for the first time this spring, and students took the writing exam, which was not administered last year, as part of the reading and language arts assessment. Students requiring accommodations could still complete paper exams.
- Because the STAAR was redesigned in 2023, this year's scores cannot be directly compared to those of previous years.
- House Bill 3906 in 2019 mandated a redesign “to better align with classroom instruction,” officials said.
- The Texas Education Agency said the redesign was a multiyear collaboration among the TEA, state educators, students, parents and community members.
While district scores are higher than the state, the percentage of students approaching grade level in MISD's STAAR results only improved slightly from spring 2022 to 2023 with three categories showing underperformance.
- The district was four percentage points lower in the percentage of students approaching grade level for third-grade reading and two points lower in third-grade math.
- Fifth-grade science also saw a two-percentage point decrease year over year.
- Fifth-grade math improved from 77% to 84%, while fourth-grade math improved from 73% to 80%.
- Reading scores marginally improved in all grades except third.
“Despite the Texas Education Agency's significant changes to the 2022-23 STAAR assessments and overall accountability system, we believe our efforts to improve student performance will be reflected in our performance as we anticipate gains in our overall district grade," MISD Chief Academic Officer Brandon Garza said. “The fact that MISD students vastly outperformed the state on the assessments indicates the quality of education being provided.
“Our commitment to student success and attacking the changes set forth by the TEA seem to have impacted our educational outcomes positively. We will continue to analyze data, identify successful strategies, and adapt to changing educational landscapes so we can contribute to further improvements this year.”
