TEMPLE, Texas — Texas students aren't making the grade statewide when it comes to the new STAAR test results. Overall scores are shown to be slipping after the Spring 2024 results were released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA.)
Across the state, only 26 percent of 5th graders met science standards. Math was another subject that saw a decline in performance for all grades, at only 41 percent demonstrating an adequate understanding of math.
"When we went and looked at state data, we were pretty consistent with state data," said Dr. Bobby Ott, Temple ISD's Superintendent.
Ott told 6 News that middle school performance dropped specifically in math and science. However, he said there was an increase in 4th grade reading and in 6th grade reading. Ott also bragged about the performance of high school students, which he said tended to do better than state trends at the high school level.
"I don't know if I'm ever totally satisfied with the results," Ott said. "I think there are areas we can improve. I do have some questions about the design and how fast we're moving in that transition at the state level."
The TEA said the decline in grades 3-8 continue to show the toll the COVID-19 pandemic had on students, but Ott doesn't think there is a direct correlation this year.
"I do not think that's the primary reason, that would not even be a leading reason, but I do think that for some students that maybe they still haven't recovered from some of the fundamentals that they've lost during those years," Ott said. "But that was several years ago."
Ott said with the decline in performance being so widespread, the design of the STAAR could be the culprit to the slide in success.
"I think it's hard for us to get consistent results that are trending the right way and, you know, that's why I think we have to point to design issues because this is happening everywhere," Ott said. "It's happening in affluent districts, it's happening in districts that have a lot of students that are economically disadvantaged."
Ott said the lack of consistency in state assessments makes it hard to hit the target and have positive trends. Even recently the STAAR test was changed.
"We're still in the early stages of this new assessment process and so a lot of things come with that," Ott added. "There's new item types, there's more embedded writing responses, there's more multi step questions, there's more responses that include students having to justify their response now. All of that has added a complexity to this new assessment."
The educator of nearly 30 years said this year's results are just a snapshot of how Texas assessments have been for years.
"I think we're missing the mark when it comes to assessment and accountability in this state and I think we've been missing the mark for about five or six years now," Ott said.
Ott wants to see the assessment and accountability system studied in great depth. He also would like the state to make a long term map that shows a transition of all the different content areas in grade levels to help teachers prepare.
Parents and families are encouraged to log in to their school district’s family portal or TexasAssessment.gov to view their child’s individual STAAR 3-8 results. You can also check out the Texas Assessment Research Portal.
More from 6 News: