Recent Texas STAAR test scores show slight improvements in reading and math, with 54% of students meeting grade-level standards in reading and 43% in math. The test faces criticism for its length and impact on students, and efforts to replace it with shorter assessments have faced legislative hurdles. Test results influence district evaluations, with some schools, especially those with English language learners, struggling to meet standards.
An investigation into Texas' annual reading test reveals that the test's design, which adjusts difficulty each year to maintain consistent failure rates, masks actual student learning gains, raising concerns about the accuracy of standardized testing as a measure of educational progress.
The Texas Education Agency has released the spring 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results for end-of-course (EOC) assessments, including Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. The results show progress and continued academic recovery among Texas public school students, with an increase in the number of students achieving Approaches grade level or above in all five subjects. The results also highlight the positive performance of students in Special Education and Emergent Bilingual programs, with increased grade level proficiency. The STAAR test was redesigned to align better with classroom instruction, emphasizing writing and incorporating a cap on multiple-choice questions. Parents can access their child's individual EOC results online, and STAAR aggregate level data is available for viewing and download.
