Houston’s STAAR Progress Continues. Now Let’s Learn From What’s Working.
Houston’s students, especially our youngest learners, have made real strides in recent years. Last year, reading scores across the Houston region were at an all-time high. This year, according to STAAR test scores released today, we set yet another record. Our 3rd to 8th graders showed another 2-point gain in reading. At the same time, Houston’s students continued their post-pandemic recovery in math, making great progress toward returning to pre-pandemic math achievement levels.
Districts such as Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and YES Prep led the way this year, leading the region in year-over-year gains in STAAR math and reading.
The Takeaways
- Houston-region students broke their own record in grades 3-8 reading, set just last year, with 52% now meeting grade level standards
- Year-over-year regional growth in 3-8 math and reading exceeded statewide growth, continuing progress toward reaching statewide achievement levels
- Nearly 6-in-10 8th graders met grade level standards in reading, putting more of our middle school students on the path to long-term opportunity
Why STAAR Matters
STAAR scores matter because they help us understand how well we’re preparing students for long-term success. Our research found that meeting grade level standards on 8th-grade reading was especially critical to postsecondary outcomes. Combined with last week’s End of Course (EOC) results, our region’s progress in math from 3rd grade all the way through Algebra 1, signals a strong focus on high-quality instruction that improves student outcomes.
These results help us identify what’s working, so that we can learn from and scale those models and practices. They also provide a roadmap for all Houstonians – from teachers, to K-12 administrators, higher education leaders, employers, nonprofit supporters, and philanthropy – to follow in building sustainable systems that support students from across the city throughout their lives.
Reading Scores Broke Last Year’s Record
Last year, our region’s reading scores were the highest they’ve ever been. This year, our students set a new record. Continuing this progress is crucial. We know that for our students growing up in an AI-enabled world, foundational literacy and critical thinking skills will be essential for students in school and beyond. Our region’s progress in recent years on 8th grade reading is especially promising, going from less than half meeting grade level standards in 2019 to 58% in 2026. Districts such as Spring ISD and YES Prep led the way in growth this year, offering opportunities to learn more about the strategies, practices, and systems they have put in place to promote student learning.
Math Continued Bouncing Back
Math scores this year continued progressing back toward pre-pandemic levels, now only trailing 2019 achievement by a few percentage points. This progress is noteworthy and our teachers, administrators, and district leaders should be applauded for their work in helping our students recover from that once-in-a-lifetime disruption. However, nearly six-in-ten of our third to eighth graders are still not meeting grade level standards in math. The work isn’t finished – we must continue to push until all of our students can do math on grade level, and have access to the advanced math pathways we know promote long-term success.
The Path Forward
STAAR scores are an important window into our students’ progress, but the story doesn’t end with test scores. Our North Star is long-term economic opportunity and mobility for all students, regardless of where they live or which school they attend. That means ensuring every child across Houston has access to the high-quality public education they need to succeed after high school.
The most important question isn’t whether scores increased or decreased. It’s what Houston can learn from the results. Where students are succeeding, we should identify the practices driving that success and expand them. Where students are struggling, we should use the data to guide improvement and support.
This year’s STAAR results provide reasons for optimism. Houston students continue to make meaningful progress in reading and math, and districts across the region are demonstrating that improvement is possible. At the same time, too many students still are not meeting grade-level standards, reminding us that progress and urgency can coexist.
The national trends reinforce that reality. Recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores show that while younger students have largely recovered from pandemic-era learning disruptions, older students continue to lag behind pre-pandemic achievement levels. The lesson is clear that we must sustain our focus on foundational reading, writing, and math skills.
Houston’s opportunity now is to turn progress into lasting change. By identifying what’s working, sustaining it, and expanding access to it, we can help more students graduate prepared for college, career, and a life of opportunity.
If you want to learn more about this year’s STAAR scores and what they mean for Houston, please join our team on June 26th at 1:30 PM. Register here.
