Texas students in grades 3-8 gained ground in math and social studies on the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, while reading results stayed largely flat, according to results the Texas Education Agency released Tuesday.
The agency said individual STAAR score reports are now available to parents through local school district family portals or at TexasAssessment.gov using the unique access code provided by their child’s school.
“The 2026 results demonstrate both the progress Texas students are making and the work that remains ahead of us. We are encouraged by continued gains in mathematics, especially with the growing number of students participating and succeeding in advanced mathematics courses. The gains in middle school reading are also notable, as it may be associated with the statewide ban on the use of cell phones in schools,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said.
Reading Holds Steady
Statewide reading language arts performance remained stable or improved across nearly all tested grades, according to TEA.
Grade 8 posted the largest reading gain, with 59% of students meeting grade level, up three percentage points from 2025. Grade 7 rose two points to 54%.
Grades 4, 5, and 6 held flat at 52%, 57%, and 54%, respectively. Grade 3 fell one point to 49%.
Overall, 54% of students in grades 3-8 met grade level in reading language arts, unchanged from 2025. Each tested grade still performed above its 2019 level.
Math Improves In Most Grades
Math results improved across most tested grades, though several grade levels remain below pre-pandemic performance.
Grade 4 recorded the largest math gain, rising four percentage points to 49% of students meeting grade level. That result topped Grade 4’s 2019 mark of 46%.
Grade 3 held flat at 44%. Grade 5 rose two points to 47%, Grade 6 increased one point to 39%, and Grade 8 rose two points to 47%.
Grade 7 math fell two points to 29%, but TEA said the decline reflects a major shift in which students took the Grade 7 exam. More seventh graders now take advanced math coursework and complete the Grade 8 math assessment instead.
Advanced Math Participation Doubles
TEA tied part of the math trend to Senate Bill 2124, which lawmakers passed in 2023 to expand access to advanced mathematics.
The law automatically places students who perform strongly in elementary math into advanced middle school math courses, putting them on a path to complete Algebra I in Grade 8.
In spring 2026, 32% of seventh-grade students completed the Grade 8 math STAAR assessment, up from 16% in 2023, according to TEA.
Among economically disadvantaged students, 65,418 seventh graders took the Grade 8 math assessment this spring. TEA said that represents the highest level recorded and places more low-income students on track to complete Algebra I in eighth grade.
Social Studies Rises, Science Delayed
In Grade 8 social studies, 32% of students met grade level, up from 30% in 2025. The score remains below the 35% recorded in 2019.
TEA said science results for Grades 5 and 8 will come out July 31 because the state must complete standard-setting work tied to updated science curriculum standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.
The latest results follow the 2025 grades 3-8 STAAR release, when TEA highlighted post-pandemic academic progress while several subjects still lagged behind 2019 levels, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The release also comes as Texas lawmakers have moved to replace STAAR with three shorter assessments beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The Texas House voted this spring to scrap the current test model, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Families of students who scored Did Not Meet Grade Level on the Grade 3 reading language arts STAAR may qualify for up to $400 in literacy tutoring through the Parent Access to Supplemental Supports program. TEA said eligible families can apply through the PASS website, with funds available beginning in fall 2026.
