Pflugerville ISD announced the district's State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness testing results Jan. 30. PISD exceeded the state's average score in all areas except seventh-grade writing, where it met the average score.

Students statewide first took STAAR tests in 2012 after the exams were approved by the state Legislature during its 2011 session. Students in third through eighth grades take STAAR tests in math, reading, social studies, science and writing.

The district's highest scores were in fifth-grade math, with 84 percent of the district's fifth-grade students passing the test compared with 77 percent of students statewide. Also in the math portion of STAAR, 77 percent of PISD third-grade students passed compared with 68 percent statewide, 74 percent of fourth-graders passed compared with 68 percent statewide, 78 percent of sixth-grade students passed compared with 77 percent statewide, 76 percent of seventh-graders passed compared with 71 statewide, and 80 percent of eighth graders passed compared with 76 percent throughout the state.

The district also surpassed the state average in reading, with each grade beating the state average by at least 3 percent. Fifth- and eighth-graders also outperformed the state average in science by 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively, and eighth-graders beat the state average in social studies by 11 percent. Fourth-graders rated above the state's writing standards by 2 percent, and seventh-graders met the 71 percent state average in the writing portion.

"As we do each year, district and campus leaders will use the data from the state's standardized tests in conjunction with local assessments conducted throughout the year to monitor the growth of each student and to inform instruction," Superintendent Charles Dupre said in a news release. "Rather than depending on a single testing program to label our district, campuses and students, I believe STAAR should be viewed as one way, but not the only way, we measure student success."

High school students also take STAAR end-of-course exams, which count toward their grades in core classes.

STAAR replaces the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests, or TAKS. Results for the district's 2013 testing results are expected to be available by the end of the school year.