The Texas Education Agency has revised the way it labels how a student has performed on the STAAR tests in grades 3-12, and the new labels will be used for students taking STAAR this spring. (See STAAR testing dates here.)

Students receive a numerical grade on their STAAR tests, and these numerical grades are grouped into categories that are referred to as “labels.” Previously, a student’s performance was labeled as Advanced, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory. Now there are four categories instead of three. The new labels are as follows:

Masters Grade Level (passing): Previously known as Advanced, Masters Grade Level means that a student who earns this grade is expected to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention. Students in this category demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar.

Meets Grade Level (passing): Students at this performance level have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may still need some short-term, targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts.

Approaches Grade Level (passing): This level was previously known as Satisfactory, and students at this level have met the assessment requirements for purposes of Student Success Initiative grade promotion and graduation and are considered to have met at least the minimum passing standard. A student achieving Approaches Grade Level is likely to succeed in the next grade or course with targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts.

Does Not Meet Grade Level (not passing): This performance category, formerly known as Unsatisfactory, applies to students scoring below Approaches Grade Level. Students at this level have not passed, since performance at this level indicates a student is unlikely to succeed in the next grade or course without significant, ongoing academic intervention. Students in this category do not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the assessed knowledge and skills.

The tables below indicate minimum passing scores. Anything less than the Approaches Grade Level score would be considered not passing or Does Not Meet Grade Level.

STAAR END-OF-COURSE EXAMS

STAAR ENGLISH EXAMS IN GRADES 3-8

STAAR SPANISH EXAMS IN GRADES 3-8

For additional information, including testing dates, fact sheets, and FAQs about STAAR, go to HoustonISD.org/STAAR.