Austin chamber releases 2013 education progress data

In Leander ISD, 70 percent of the students in the class of 2012 were considered college- or career-ready in both reading and math. A total of 68 percent of 2012 graduates enrolled in college by the fall after graduation, according to the report.

Districts statewide are continuing their transition to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams. The reports include information on how fifth- and eighth-graders performed on STAAR exams in math, reading, science and social studies. Fifth-graders are preparing to enter middle school, while eighth-graders are preparing to enter high school.

"All fifth- and eighth-graders who do not meet Level II Satisfactory Performance on the first administration of STAAR receive targeted, accelerated instruction ... one-on-one and/or [in a] small group before, during and/or after school," said Veronica Sopher, LISD senior executive director of community and school relations. "An individualized plan is developed for each student based upon their areas of strengths and needs."

Overall the reports provide business owners, educators and parents with an overview of what is happening in local school districts, Reeves said.

"Even in the face of budget cuts, [school districts] are doing a good job meeting the standards," she said. "Now the standards are going to change and they are probably going to be even more challenging."

The full reports can be accessed at www.austinchamber.com/edureports.

Additional reporting by Emilie Lutostanski