Latest news with #MikeMorath
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores show
Texas' students saw some wins in reading but continued to struggle to bounce back from pandemic-related learning losses in math, state testing results released Tuesday showed. Elementary students who took the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exam this year made the biggest gains in reading across grade levels. Third graders saw a three percentage point increase in reading, a milestone because early literacy is a strong indicator of future academic success. Progress among middle students in the subject, meanwhile, slowed. 'These results are encouraging and reflect the impact of the strategic supports we've implemented in recent years,' said Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. 'We are seeing meaningful signs of academic recovery and progress.' Morath also acknowledged students needed more help to make similar gains in math. Five years after pandemic-related school closures, students are still struggling to catch up in that subject, the results showed. About 43% of students met grade-level standards for math, compared to 50% in 2019. The STAAR exam tests all Texas public school students in third through eighth grade in math and reading. A science test is also administered for third and eighth graders, as well as a social studies test for eighth graders. The test scores give families a snapshot of how Texas students are learning. School accountability ratings — which the Texas Education Agency gives out to each district and campus on an A through F scale as a score for their performance — are also largely based on how students do on the standardized tests. The test often casts a shadow over classrooms at the end of the year, with teachers across the state saying they lose weeks of valuable instructional time preparing children to take the test. Parents also don't like the test because of its high-stakes nature and the enormous pressure it puts on students. A bill that would have scrapped the STAAR test died in the last days of the 2025 legislative session. Both Republican and Democratic legislators expressed a desire to overhaul STAAR, but in the end, the House and Senate could not align on what they wanted out of an alternative test. Legislators this session did expand support for the state's youngest students to help them catch up before they first take their STAAR test in third grade. A sweeping school finance package also included new statewide assessment tools in early childhood learning, and targeted academic intervention for students who are struggling. This is a developing story; check back for details. Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer. Get tickets. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Latest STAAR Results Raise Concerns Over Student Performance
(Texas Scorecard) – Newly released results of Texas high school students' End-of-Course assessments for 2025 show 'too many students are still not where they need to be academically,' according to the state agency that oversees public education. The Texas Education Agency released Spring 2025 STAAR End-of-Course assessment results on Tuesday. STAAR is short for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, standardized testing 'designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills at each tested grade, subject, and course.' The STAAR EOC assessments measure whether high school students have mastered end-of-course knowledge and skills they need to progress to the next level and graduate ready for college, a career, or the military. The results are 'a key measure of how Texas students are performing' in Algebra I, Biology, English I and II, and U.S. History, according to the TEA. Compared to 2024 results, the percentages of students who 'meet' grade level in Algebra I and Biology increased slightly, while the percentages of students meeting grade level in English and History declined. Overall performance levels remain poor. Subject mastery ranged from a high of 37 percent for U.S. History to a low of just 8 percent for English II. Asian students continued to significantly outperform white, Hispanic, and African-American students in all subjects. 'Texas students and educators continue to work hard to demonstrate academic excellence,' said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. 'At the same time, we also recognize that too many students are still not where they need to be academically.' 'Using a reliable system of assessments, we can continue making progress on the strategies that are most effective in improving student learning and long-term success,' he added. Assessments from 2024 also showed declining scores. The TEA's annual report for the 2023-24 school year showed reading and math scores for 3rd- and 8th-graders dropped 2-3 percentage points from the previous year, with less than half of 3rd-grade students reading at or above grade level—deficiencies that impact students' later school performance. Scores from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as 'The Nation's Report Card,' showed Texas 4th-grade students' reading scores had dropped two points from the previous tests in 2022 and were two points below the national average. Just 28 percent scored as 'proficient' or better in reading. STAAR is unpopular with parents and teachers who say it puts too much pressure on students and forces educators to spend too much time 'teaching to the test.' Proposed legislation to eliminate the high-stakes testing failed to pass during this year's recently concluded legislative session. Parents can view their students' individual STAAR EOC results by visiting their school system's family portal or using the unique access code provided by their child's school. Results for STAAR grades 3–8 assessments will be made publicly available on June 17.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Texas releases 2025 STAAR end-of-course results, shows mixed progress
The Brief Mixed Performance Across Subjects: The 2025 STAAR EOC results show varied student performance in core subjects, with improvements in Algebra I and Biology, but declines in English I, English II, and U.S. History compared to 2024. Focus on Academic Progress: Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath highlighted progress in math and science, while acknowledging the need for continued efforts to meet academic expectations for all students. Legislative Developments: A proposed bill to replace the STAAR with smaller tests throughout the year failed to advance, despite support in the State House of Representatives. Austin - The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday released the Spring 2025 results for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) high school End-of-Course (EOC) exams, offering a mixed picture of student performance across core subjects. The assessments, taken by high school students across the state, measure readiness in Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History. According to the agency, this year's results show modest changes compared to 2024 — with gains in some areas and declines in others. By the numbers Algebra I: 47% met grade level (up from 45% in 2024) Biology: 62% met grade level (up from 57%) English I: 51% met grade level (down from 54%) English II: 56% met grade level (down from 60%) U.S. History: 68% met grade level (down from 69%) What they're saying Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath acknowledged the progress, especially in math and science, but noted that more work remains to ensure all students are meeting academic expectations. "Texas students and educators continue to work hard to demonstrate academic excellence," Morath said in a statement. "At the same time, we also recognize that too many students are still not where they need to be academically." State officials noted that Biology scores improved across all student groups, including students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, those receiving special education services, and emergent bilingual learners. The STAAR EOC exams are designed to evaluate whether high school students have mastered the skills and content necessary to move forward and ultimately graduate prepared for college, a career, or military service. In May the State House of Representatives passed a bill that would have replaced the statewide exam with three smaller tests given throughout the school year. Supporters claimed it would give teachers faster results and reduce testing pressure. Despite the momentum in the House, the bill failed to advance before the end of session. Individual student scores are now available through local school portals and using a unique access code provided by each student's school. Full statewide and campus-level data is available through the Texas Assessment Research Portal. Results for STAAR grades 3–8 will be released on June 17. The Source The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday released the Spring 2025 results for the STAAR high school End-of-Course exams.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Texas Education Agency releases Spring 2025 STAAR test results
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Results from the Spring 2025 STAAR tests were released Tuesday morning, showing Texans how well their students and districts performed on the end-of-year exams. There were only slight changes from the Spring 2024 results. The share of Texas students who met requirements in Algebra and Biology increased by two and five points, while English I and II fell by three and four points. U.S. History remains students' strongest section with a slight drop of one percentage point. A press release from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) celebrated students' growth in the Biology section. All groups, including economically disadvantaged, special education and emergent bilingual students, improved in the category. According to the graphic above, all students are roughly in line with the 2019 STAAR results. Special education and emergent bilingual students now exceed their 2019-2024 scores. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said that while students and educators worked hard, more is needed to help students. 'Texas students and educators continue to work hard to demonstrate academic excellence,' Morath said in the release. 'At the same time, we also recognize that too many students are still not where they need to be academically. Using a reliable system of assessments, we can continue making progress on the strategies that are most effective in improving student learning and long-term success.' To view your student's score, visit the TEA's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker discusses possible TEA takeover of Fort Worth ISD
Two weeks ago, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker won re-election to her third term with more than two out of every three votes. Eye on Politics reporter Jack Fink asked her about the troubles facing Fort Worth ISD in a conversation with the mayor. Fort Worth ISD academic performance The Texas Education Agency notified Fort Worth ISD recently that it may take over district operations or close the Leadership Academy at Forest campus. The 6th grade school received its fifth consecutive "unacceptable" academic rating for the 2022–2023 school year. Under Texas Education Code § 39A.111, five consecutive failing ratings trigger mandatory state intervention. The commissioner must either appoint a board of managers to oversee the district or order the closure of the campus. In a letter to the district earlier this month, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath cited broader academic struggles across the district. Based on 2023 preliminary ratings, Fort Worth ISD received an overall grade of D, with 77 campuses rated D or F. The district has 147 schools. Eight campuses have failed to meet minimum academic standards since at least 2018, though the letter did not name them. Mayor Parker discusses her concerns for the district When asked how concerned she was regarding the district's performance, Mayor Parker responded, "Well, I'm concerned, and here's why. This will be a very critical time period for that ISD over the next several months." "At the end of the day, the decision is Commissioner Morath's, and my allegiance is to the students and for the ISD, they deserve to have an A-rated campus across every single campus in the city of Fort Worth. We deserve to have one of the best school districts, not in just the state of Texas, but across the country. So, if Commissioner Morath decides that the only answer is to take over the district, I'll do whatever it takes to rally the support needed in this community to make that district successful. If his decision is actually to leave the ministration of the board in place, I'll do the exact same thing as I've said before." When asked if Mayor Parker wanted the TEA Commissioner to take over, she stated she thinks a takeover would be "disruptive". "But I want to be careful my words, because I do understand why someone in his position would feel the need to make that decision. I don't want anybody that's listening to this interview to mistake that. I also agree it's unacceptable. But I've also heard those same words and transparency from Doctor Karen Molinar, who has not been in the full-time leadership capacity of superintendent for that long, allowing her to lead the district forward." Managing a growing Fort Worth population Mayor Parker also spoke to Jack about the city of Fort Worth's surging population. "We're focused on the things that matter most to voters across the city of Fort Worth," said Parker. "It's about quality of life for every single resident across all 350 miles in the city of Fort Worth. It's public safety, it's infrastructure, it's parks, it's our library system. And really, being smart about what it looks like to be the fastest growing large city in the country and be prepared for future growth but also take care of the residents across our city today." Reports show that Fort Worth has already surpassed Austin as the fourth largest city in the state. When asked about balancing the quality of life with a surge in growth, Mayor Parker says understanding residents' current needs and experiences is important in preparing for the future. "Being incredibly fair and focused across distributing the need across the entire city and all our council districts, all ten council districts across the city of Fort Worth, and then also takes coordination between state and federal partners."
