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Students work on a practice end-of-course English test for the STAAR.<\/p>\n
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High school students in Dallas ISD and across Texas posted gains on state standardized tests compared with last year, according to STAAR results released Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Separately, preliminary numbers show Dallas ISD made progress in reading and math among students in grades three though eight.<\/p>\n
The annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness<\/a>\u00a0end-of-course exams gauge students\u2019 performance in Algebra I, biology, English I, English II and U.S. history.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Here’s what to know about\u00a0STAAR results and how to find student scores<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Despite the gains across all subject areas, the percentage of students in Dallas ISD and across the state meeting grade level in Algebra I and U.S. history still lags pre-pandemic levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dallas ISD, the state\u2019s second-largest school district, outperformed the state in two subjects \u2014 Algebra I and U.S. history. In the three other subjects, the district trailed behind statewide scores.\u00a0<\/p>\n The biggest gains were in biology. Texas saw a nine-point uptick in the percentage of students meeting grade level in that subject. Dallas ISD saw a 16-point increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>: Search for your Dallas-area high school and district STAAR scores<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n State gains in STAAR high school scores<\/p>\n Statewide, the percentage of students scoring on grade level in Algebra I climbed seven points, from 47% last year to 54% this year. In English I, students posted a four-point gain, improving from 51% meeting grade level last year to 55% this year. English II also saw a four-point gain, with 60% meeting grade level this year, up from 56% last year. In U.S. history, students edged up two points, from 68% last year to 70% this year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The scores also included encouraging results for students who are learning English, economically disadvantaged students and those who are enrolled in special education services. Each of those groups saw gains in the percentage of students scoring on grade level in all five subject areas.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThese 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,\u201d Texas Education Commissioner Mike\u00a0Morath said in a statement. \u201cThese results may also be reflective of the legislature\u2019s ban on cell phone use in classrooms<\/a>, so that students are better able to stay focused on their schoolwork while at school.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: This Dallas ISD middle school banned cellphones years before the rest of Texas. Here’s what happened<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Wednesday\u2019s results are the first of two batches of STAAR scores<\/a> to be released this month. Texas Education Agency officials plan to release scores for students in grades three through eight on Tuesday. Parents can view their child\u2019s individual test scores at TexasAssessment.gov.<\/a><\/p>\n Preliminary results for exams in grades three through eight suggest Dallas ISD either held steady or gained ground across all grade levels in reading. District leaders released the preliminary numbers as a part of an agenda packet<\/a> for a board briefing scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n The percentage of third graders testing on grade level in reading climbed by two points, from 43% last year to 45% this year. In 2019, the last round of testing before the pandemic began, just 36% of third graders scored on grade level in reading. School leaders and education researchers say third grade is a critical year for reading because students who can’t read proficiently by then are more likely to struggle in school later on and less likely to graduate on time.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The percentage of Dallas ISD students testing on grade level in math also grew or held steady in at least five of the six grades tested, according to the preliminary results. The agenda packet included results for all grade levels except 7th grade.<\/p>\n Mary Lynn Pruneda, director of education and workforce policy for the nonprofit advocacy group Texas 2036<\/a>, said in a statement that Wednesday’s results were a good sign for the direction of the state’s high schools and an indication that more students are ready for life after graduation.<\/p>\n \u201cGrade-level proficiency in foundational subjects like Algebra I and English is more than a snapshot in time,” she said. “It is a direct indicator of long-term workforce readiness and economic opportunity for Texas students.”<\/p>\n Dallas County STAAR results<\/p>\n In Dallas County, the percentage of students meeting grade level across all subjects grew by seven points, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Commit Partnership. The county outpaced the state as a whole, which saw a five-point increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n