Continuing Three-year Trend, HISD 2026 STAAR Scores Show Growth in Nearly All 3-8 Grade Exams  

This article is about the this spring's Texas standardized test results for HISD grades 3-8 . Visit this article to read about the double-digit growth in high-school level exams. 

News that he exceeded the grade-level in both math and reading State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) this spring did not come at a surprise for Shearn Elementary fifth-grader Edickzon Molina. 

He came prepared to the test with a full night’s sleep and a familiar breakfast. Most importantly, throughout the year he had tracked all the concepts he had struggled with and studied using online resources to make sure he understood any misconceptions he had. 

“I used those mistakes to help me learn what I did wrong,” Molina said. 

Molina was one of a record number of Houston ISD elementary and middle school students who met grade-level standards on STAAR reading, math, and social studies assessments this spring.

These results come after the third full year of HISD's New Education System (NES), which has expanded the use of centralized instructional practices across campuses to ensure students consistently master daily learning objectives. 

Prior to the NES implementation in fall 2023, HISD lagged behind the state average in all STAAR assessments. This year, 10 of the 12 third to eighth grade math and reading tests met or exceeded the state average. 

The Results Are In 

While students pass the test if they approach the grade level standard, HISD officials have placed the target on meeting the grade level standard since the benchmark has stronger links to success in future grade levels. . 

The percentage of third through eighth-grade students meeting grade-level standards has increased since 2023 on all released tests, with the exception of seventh grade math. 

Since 2023, the percent of HISD elementary and middle schoolers reaching grade level has increased by an average of 10.3 points in reading, 7.7 points in math, and six points in social studies. 

Science tests, which are administered for fifth and eighth grades, will be released July 31, according to the agency.

Outside of fourth-grade reading, which grew 14 points, most of the above-average growth was concentrated in middle school: 

• Sixth-grade reading grew 13 points, and math grew 12 points.
• The combined percentage of seventh graders taking seventh-grade math, eighth-grade math, and the Algebra I high school-level End of Course exams grew 13 points. 
• Eighth-grade reading grew 12 points, and math grew 19 points.

Following a statewide trend, the percent of students meeting the seventh-grade math test fell nine points because many higher-performing students took the eighth grade exam or Algebra I End of Course exam instead. This leaves more struggling students in the seventh grade testing group. 

However, with middle school leading growth in math since 2023, district officials said these students are now more likely than before to reach grade level throughout middle and high school. 

A Formula of Consistency and Guidance 

Eighth grade teacher Veronica Haynes-Smith teaches math at Williams Middle School, including 20 advanced students who are taking high-school level Algebra I. 

Haynes-Smith previously told HISD NOW the district-provided slide decks provide a classroom structure that she can individualize to struggling and advanced students alongside classroom aides provided through the NES model. 

“Students thrive on consistency and guidance,” she said, noting that students are motivated to complete take-home packets, and online assignments help to reinforce the lessons they learn at home. 

This year, nearly twice as many of her students met grade level on the eighth-grade math STAAR compared to last year, and nearly three times as many as in 2023. In addition, all of her Algebra I students met the grade level expectations. 

Paired with this guidance, Williams’ students said they noticed an added emphasis on academics under the leadership of Dr. Fola Dimandja, who frequently observes classrooms to provide feedback for teachers. 

“This year, our grades, how we acted in class, and everything we did mattered a lot,” eighth grader Marlene Alcantara said. “That helped me a lot because it gave me a reason to come to school.”

Alcantara received a masters grade level score on her Algebra I exam, which is the highest level of achievement. As an aspiring physician, she said she knew this was an important step to achieving her goals. 

After meeting his grade level in math, Kendriss Atkins—another student of Haynes-Smith—is entering high school, with plans to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses with his newfound confidence despite previously struggling in math. 

“This year I became a little more smarter and serious about my work,” he said. “My goal for next year is to take more advanced classes, prepare for college, and focus more on what I want to do when I get older."