Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify Houston ISD's year-over-year performance across all five STAAR End-of-Course subjects.
The tables have turned once again for high school students in Texas as the latest STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) End-of-Course assessment results are now publicly available. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) revealed today the outcomes of the insidious standardized tests, which are a measure of students' proficiency in subjects including Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.
According to KHOU, there were mixed results this year, with slight improvements seen in STEM subjects such as Algebra I and Biology, while English and History scores witnessed a dip statewide. Specifically, Algebra I scores rose to 47% from 45% in 2024, and Biology improved to 62% from 57%; however, English I dropped from 54% to 51%, English II from 60% to 56%, and U.S. History saw a reduction to 68% from 69% in 2024. The TEA noted significant gains among economically disadvantaged students, those receiving special education services, and emergent bilingual students in biology.
In drilling down into district-specific data, Houston ISD (HISD) posted year-over-year gains across all five tested subjects, outperforming the state in Algebra I with 51% of students meeting grade level (up from 38% in 2024) and in Biology at 63% (up from 54% in 2024), as stated by KHOU. In English I, HISD reached 46% (up from 44% in 2024), and in English II, 52% (up from 49% in 2024) — trailing the statewide averages of 51% and 56% respectively, though improving year-over-year even as the state declined in both subjects. In U.S. History, HISD reached 67% (up from 63% in 2024), compared to the statewide average of 68%.
For students and families eager to dissect individual STAAR EOC scores, they're advised to either visit the school district’s family portal or head to TexasAssessment.gov, entering their unique access code supplied by the school, as reported by Statesman. Additionally, aggregate performance data for schools, districts, and the state can be accessed through the Texas Assessment Research Portal, where downloadable performance summaries by campus are available. The awaited results for STAAR Grades 3–8 are set to be unveiled on June 17, allowing parents a comprehensive view of their children's academic standing.
As an annual fixture in the educational landscape of Texas, the revealing of STAAR scores prompts a period of reflection and planning for the next academic year. "At the beginning of the next school year, STAAR results can be discussed with teachers to determine the best ways to support learning and academic growth," as noted by Statesman.
