The Texas Education Agency published the remainder of STAAR scores for the 2022-2023 school year on Wednesday, with students in grades 3-8 showing significant improvement in math but some dips in reading as well.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, STAAR scores for Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History showed little, if any, year-over-year improvement. However, the latest batch of scores indicates that Texas students may be turning a corner in terms of overcoming the learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s results show reading-language arts proficiency for students in grades 3-8 remains largely unchanged, continuing the level of academic recovery achieved in 2022 coming out of the pandemic,” reads a Texas Education Agency (TEA) news release.
While statewide reading-language arts scores did overtake pre-pandemic levels last school year, there were some considerable year-over-year decreases. The share of 3rd graders that scored at grade level fell by 2%, 4th graders’ scores fell by 6%, 5th graders’ scores dipped by 1%, and 7th graders’ scores went down by 2%.
Eighth graders’ scores stalled, with 56% of students meeting grade level last school year and in 2022-2023. However, 6th graders logged an 8% year-over-year hike.
Math scores, on the other hand, still came in below pre-pandemic levels, but TEA noted improvements in five grade levels: 3rd graders’ scores ticked up by 2%, 4th graders’ scores jumped by 5%, 5th graders’ scores increased by 3%, and the share of 7th and 8th graders scoring at grade level spiked by 6%. Meanwhile, 6th graders’ scores stalled, with only 37% scoring at grade level.
“Teachers across Texas continue to work with passion and skill to help students learn,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in the release. “This year’s results show the efforts of our educators continue to deliver improved results for students.”
Still, a broader view of Texas students’ performance in math suggests there is still a lot of work to be done. When including Algebra I scores, only 43% of students scored at grade level, well below the 50% logged during the 2018-2019 school year.
“We recommend parents log in and learn more about their child’s STAAR scores. Being fully informed about their child’s academic progress can help them work with their child’s teacher during the new school year,” Morath said.
