High school and middle school students in the Austin Independent School District performed better in every subject on the end-of-course State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test compared to the year before. That’s according to the latest results from the Texas Education Agency.
The biggest improvement for AISD students was in Algebra I, with 52% of students meeting grade level, a 9% increase from the year before. Austin ISD students are still slightly below the statewide average for meeting grade level in Algebra I.
Austin ISD also saw an 8% increase in the percentage of students that met grade level for Biology, going from 63% last year to 71% this year. English I, English II, and History also saw increases of 5% or more in the percentage of students meeting grade level.
Students who meet grade level have a high likelihood of succeeding in the next grade with little academic intervention. Students do not need to meet grade level to pass a subject.
In most subjects, AISD students are meeting grade level at the same percentage as students statewide. History is the only subject where Austin ISD students are above the statewide average, with 76% of Austin students meeting grade level compared to 70% of students across Texas.
Within AISD, Black and Hispanic students scored significantly below their white peers. Economically disadvantaged students also lagged far behind overall AISD scores. When it comes to meeting grade level in Algebra I, economically disadvantaged students scored 40% lower than those who are not economically disadvantaged.
Students’ results fell in most subjects after the pandemic. Since then, they have slowly been improving. The Texas Education Agency reported improved performance across the state in Biology, English I and English II, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Bilingual students, students receiving special education services and economically disadvantaged students also saw increases in every subject area.
Statewide results for only two subjects remain below pre-pandemic levels – U.S. History and Algebra I. The steepest difference remains in Algebra I scores. In 2019, 62% of Texas students were meeting grade level. Now, just 54% of them are.
The STAAR test measures students’ academic performance in core high school courses. The standardized tests give families insight into how prepared students are for college, careers or military service. For most students, taking the test is part of their graduation requirements. While the end-of-course assessment is mostly for high school students, middle schoolers who are enrolled in high school courses are also required to take the tests.
“These results reflect the hard work of Texas students, educators and families and demonstrate that focused instruction and high expectations continue to produce positive outcomes for students across our state,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a written statement.
He also said the state legislature’s ban on cell phone use in classrooms has allowed students to stay focused at school.
Parents can access individual results on the Austin ISD Portal. STAAR results for third through eighth grade are expected to be released on June 16.