STAAR Exam Results for Grades 3-8

2011-2012 STAAR Exam Results for Grades 3-8

Almost a year after student testing began, new state exam results are released

Percentage of SBISD Students Meeting STAAR Standard

Subject Area	Reading	Math	Writing	Science	Social Studies
Percentage	72	69	66	71	62

A majority of Spring Branch ISD students in grades 3-8 were successful academically on the new state testing program known as STAAR, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. STAAR testing was first administered for these grades in Spring 2012.

In SBISD, 72% of students in grades 3-8 met the passing standard in Reading, while 69% passed the Math test. SBISD students were also tested in Writing, Science and Social Studies at selected grade levels. Passing rates for grades 4 and 7 Writing were 66%; grades 5 and 8 Science, 71%; and grade 8 Social Studies, 62%.

Under the new STAAR 3‐8 testing program, successful student performance is measured at two separate levels. They are:

·         Level 2 is Satisfactory Academic Performance.

·         Level 3 is Advanced/Accomplished Academic Performance.

The state has a phase‐in process for Level 2 performance. The phase‐in is a three‐step, five‐year process. The first step is referred to as Phase 1 and consists of passing standards that range from a low of 39% in 8th grade Mathematics to a high of 66% in 5th grade Science. Twelve of the 18 tests have a passing standard in the 50% range at the initial standard. This initial standard is in place for two years. The current 2012‐13 school year is the second year of STAAR, and is the last year that the initial standard will be used.

This is followed by the second step, or school years 2013‐14 and 2014‐15, at the intermediate standard, with passing standards that that have not yet been released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The final standards, or the third step, will be implemented in the 2015-16 school year. Passing scores at this standard will range from 63% in 8th grade Mathematics to 84% in 5th grade Science. Twelve of the 18 passing scores will be in the 70% range.

The Level 3 standards are not phased in. They range from a low of 82% for 4th grade Writing to a high of 93% for 5th grade Science. One other subject, 4th grade Mathematics, has a score in the 90% range.

In addition, the district remains focused on The Spring Branch Plan 2012-17 with a singular goal of doubling the number of graduates completing some form of higher education – a technical certificate, two-year degree, or four-year college degree by 2017. This goal is known as Spring Branch T-2-4.