Showing progress as STAAR results come in

One of the great privileges as Interim Superintendent of HISD is shaking the hands of thousands of graduating seniors at commencement ceremonies around the city each year.

Two weekends, 40-plus ceremonies, and more than 11,000 graduates later, I am reminded why we push so hard at every level to ensure our students are college and career ready when they cross the stage to receive their diplomas. This year was especially poignant as I watched my own daughter graduate from high school. My dreams for her are the same for every child whose educational journeys we have the honor of guiding. And my goal is to increase achievement and raise standards every year.

As preliminary numbers come in from the Texas Education Agency, I am pleased with the progress we are seeing as it relates to the STAAR test. At least 70 percent of HISD fifth- and eighth-graders passed STAAR reading and math exams this year. On the math test, a slight majority of the eighth-graders, 51 percent, who passed with minimum scores last year, passed with scores well above the minimum this year.  

Overall, the most significant improvements on the STAAR exams were seen among students who attend some of the district’s lowest-performing elementary and middle schools: Blackshear, Dogan, Highland Heights, Mading, Wesley and Woodson elementary schools, along with Patrick Henry Middle School. 

We deployed a great number of personnel and resources to those campuses to make significant headway in bridging the achievement gap, and I am extremely proud of the principals, teachers, staff, students, and parents for working hard to make these significant strides. We have more work to do, however, and we will continue until our mission that every child shows progress is successfully completed. You can read a full breakdown of the results here.

While many of us are preparing to enjoy a summer filled with vacation and rest, the work continues for many teachers and principals, who will work diligently at critical summer school programs and trainings to continue closing achievements gaps even more for our students.

For parents, I hope you take these summer months to enjoy time with your child – whether traveling on vacation, reading books together, or participating in sports. When you return your children to us in the fall, we will be ready to continue with them on their journeys toward crossing that stage one day soon!