The 2012 STAAR test results for grades 3-8 are in, and Clear Creek ISD students performed well against the new rigorous standards and well above the state average.
The results, released by the Texas Education Agency, are as follows:
- 87% – 90% of all 3rd thru 5th grade students passed STAAR in reading
- 77% – 86% of all 3rd thru 5th grade students passed STAAR in math
- 85% of all 5th grade students passed STAAR in science
- 87% – 91% of all 6th thru 8th grade students passed STAAR in reading
- 86% – 88% of all 6th thru 8th grade students passed STAAR in math
- 85% of all 8th grade students passed science
- 75% of all 8th grade students passed social studies
“As we all know there are multiple indicators of student success. This is simply one measure,” said Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, “I am optimistic that we will see positive changes on assessments this legislative session.”
CCISD is one of 23 school districts selected to participate in the High Performing Schools Consortium. The consortium will work with the Texas Education Agency and legislators to develop new learning standards, assessments, and accountability systems.
“The school districts selected to participate in the consortium are already known for their innovative work and are looked to by many as educational leaders,” said State Education Commissioner Michael Williams. “This exciting project will help the governor, legislative leaders and the Texas Education Agency craft a sound, well-thought out plan to move all Texas schools to the next performance level.”
For several years CCISD has been working with the Schlechty Center, national experts on school transformation. The CCISD superintendent is also one of the authors of Creating a New Vision for Public Education and thanked the TEA and Texas Legislature “for recognizing the need to explore new ways to engage students in the 21st century, best prepare them for a competitive and global workforce, and measure performance through meaningful assessments.”
The following CCISD schools directly involved in the process are Clear Horizons Early College High School; Clear Springs High School; Clear View Education Center; Creekside Intermediate; Westbrook Intermediate; North Pointe Elementary; and Stewart Elementary. These schools were selected to ensure a fair geographic representation of the district.
The consortium will make recommendations in four key areas – digital learning, learning standards, assessment methods and local control.
The education commissioner said passing rates on most State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests for grades 3-8 topped 70 percent in 2012. The STAAR was given for the first time in Texas public and charter schools last spring.
Among the results for grades 3-8, the highest passing rates are seen on some 8th grade tests. Eighty percent of eighth-grade students passed the STAAR reading test, 76 percent passed the STAAR mathematics test, and 70 percent passed the STAAR science test.
“We have set the bar higher with a more rigorous test, and our students and teachers are already on a path to meeting those higher expectations,” Commissioner Williams said. “I have no doubt results in future years will continue to improve but only if our state elects to keep the focus on educating every child in every classroom in every district across Texas.”
Commissioner Williams noted the passing percentages for all areas (except three) are at 70 percent or better. The lowest passing rate (59%) occurred on the 8th grade social studies test could be attributed to the inclusion of new social studies curriculum content, as well as the use of more primary sources in test questions than occurred previously on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
Following are state passing rates for the Grade 3-8 assessments.
Passing Rates for 2012 STAAR | |||||
Grade | Reading | Mathematics | Writing | Science | Social Studies |
3 | 76% | 68% | – | – | – |
4 | 77% | 68% | 71% | – | – |
5 | 77% | 77% | – | 73% | – |
6 | 75% | 77% | – | – | – |
7 | 76% | 71% | 71% | – | – |
8 | 80% | 76% | – | 70% | 59% |
– STAAR not required for grade level | |||||
As with the high school STAAR tests, passing standards are being phased in for the elementary and middle school tests using a four-year, two-step process. This approach provides school districts with time to adjust instruction, provide additional training for teachers, and close knowledge gaps.
Although students first took the STAAR tests last spring, the passing standards were not finalized until recently for grades 3-8. State law required the passing rates to be set on the high school end-of-course exams first, with the standards for tests in lower grades aligned to those standards. Passing standards for the end-of-course assessments were established last spring.
For spring 2013 testing, results will be released on the normal schedule, which is typically by the end of the school year.
