English learners struggled in several subjects on state tests in the spring, especially math, according to the Texas State School Readiness Assessments (STAAR) results released Monday.

A Times analysis of STAAR data for years 3-8 showed math skills declined in El Paso and region 19, but English learners struggled to pass the STAAR tests more than their counterparts. , and fewer have achieved academic mastery.

In Texas, students in Grades 3 through 12 are required to take the STAAR exam, a standardized test that assesses students’ readiness to advance to the next level.

The Masters, Meets or Approaches performance labels indicate a satisfactory result during an evaluation, in accordance with the TEA.

The number of Texas students who failed to meet grade level expectations in all subject areas and grade levels has increased – except English I and II – this year compared to 2019 due to disruption to learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by Texas Education Agency Press Release Monday.

Texas school districts with higher numbers of students learning practically saw a larger decline in learning, while districts with more in-person learners had fewer drops in reading learning, according to the release. .

“From grades three to five, TEA offers reading and math assessments in English and Spanish for native Spanish speakers,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement emailed via the TEA. “We have seen much larger drops in grade level rates. skills for students who take the assessment in Spanish than what we have done for students who take the assessment in English. “

“The schools will be open in person again this fall and it will definitely be the best place for our children.”

The percentage of students who did not reach grade level appeared to decrease in several subjects this year compared to the June 2019 results. This could be misleading as the STAAR tests were not administered in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Highlights of EPISD STAAR

According to the TEA, proficiency in math was the largest drop in subject matter for all students at all levels in the state. Here’s how the students performed at the El Paso Independent School District:

Math

Students

• Approached: at least 46% of students in each school year; except eighth at 36%
• Achieved: at least 20% in each year; except eighth at 15%
• Proficient: at least 8% in each grade; except eighth at 3%

English learners

• Approached: at least 26% in each level
• Achieved: at least 6% in each year
• Mastered: at least 2% in each level

Reading

Students

• Approached: at least 55% in each level
• Achieved: at least 24% in each year
• Mastered: at least 10% in each level

English learners

• Approached: at least 45% in each level
• Achieved: at least 21% in each year
• Mastered: at least 11% in each level

Writing

Students

• Approached: at least 47% in each level
• Achieved: at least 22% in each year
• Mastered: at least 5% in each level.

English learners

• Approached: 24%
• Achieved: 9%
• Mastered: 0

Science

All the students

• Approached: at least 52% in each class
• Achieved: at least 20% in each year
• Mastered: at least 7% in each level

English learners

• Approached: 30%
• Achieved: 2%
• Mastered: 0

EPISD will focus on accelerated learning to improve these outcomes, starting with summer courses, which are offered to students who need credit recovery and those who have struggled this year, according to a statement. of the district Tuesday.

Students will receive math and literacy assessments over the next school year to assess the educational needs of each student.

“We want to make sure that every student has a personal journey designed specifically for their academic, social and emotional needs. Our goal is to provide more support to teachers and to increase the number of tutors for teaching and support in small groups, “the statement said.

Highlights of YISD STAAR

Here is how the students behaved at the Ysleta Independent School District:

Math

Students

• Approached: at least 50% of students in each year; except seventh at 31%
• Achieved: at least 18% in each level; except seventh at 7%
• Proficient: at least 4% in each grade; except seventh at 2%

English learners

• Approached: at least 26% in each level
• Achieved: at least 6% in each year
• Mastered: at least 2% in each level

Reading

Students

• Approached: at least 54% in each level
• Achieved: at least 23% in each year
• Mastered: at least 9% in each level

English learners

• Approached: at least 48% in each class
• Achieved: at least 24% in each year
• Mastered: at least 15% in each level

Writing

Students

• Approached: at least 51% in each class
• Achieved: at least 22% in each year
• Mastered: at least 5% in each level.

English learners

• Approached: 43%
• Achieved: 20%
• Mastered: 5%

Science

All the students

• Approached: at least 56% in each level
• Achieved: at least 22% in each year
• Proficient: at least 6% in each grade

English learners

• Approached: 12%
• Achieved: 6%
• Mastered: 0

YISD has completed all of the required STAAR tests this year, although not all eligible students took part, district officials said in an email on Monday.

“Due to the number of students who refused to participate, the raw data does not provide an accurate picture of the overall performance of students across the district,” district officials said.

The district currently offers summer schools to all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

“As a district, closing the academic achievement gap is our number one priority. As part of our Promoting Student Academic Success (PASS) program, we will provide intentional intervention for ALL of our students based on their Academic data. The district will hire additional resources to provide intervention services to all students, “district officials said.

Strengths of SISD STAAR

Almost 70% of eighth graders did not reach grade level in math in the spring in the independent school district of Socorro and only 1% achieved mastery.

Third and fourth grade English learners eclipsed this rate. Eighty-two percent of third-grade English learners and 77% of fourth-grade English learners did not reach grade level in mathematics; no third or fourth grade English learner has achieved mastery in mathematics.

Math

Students

• Approached: at least 45% of the students in each class; except eighth at 33%
• Achieved: at least 15% in each year; except eighth at 12%
• Proficient: at least 4% in each grade, except eighth at 1%

English learners

• Approached: at least 18% in each class
• Achieved: at least 5% in each level; 0 in third year
• Mastered: 8% in fifth; 0 in third and fourth years

Reading

Students

• Approached: at least 55% in each level
• Achieved: at least 25% in each year
• Mastered: at least 10% in each level

English learners

• Approached: at least 32% in each class
• Achieved: at least 11% in each year
• Mastered: at least 5% in each level

Writing

Students

• Approached: at least 46% in each level
• Achieved: at least 19% in each year
• Proficient: at least 4% in each grade.

English learners

• Approached: 25%
• Achieved: 15%
• Mastered: 5%

Science

All the students

• Approached: at least 49% in each level
• Achieved: at least 19% in each year
• Mastered: at least 5% in each level

English learners

• Approached: 52%
• Achieved: 20%
• Mastered: 8%

After:Public program increases teachers’ salaries in rural and very poor El Paso schools

After:YISD Appoints New Principals at Edgemere International, Riverside Middle and Bel Air High Schools

There is no pass rate for the STAAR exams per se, but the state wants all students to be at the “Meets” grade level, which would indicate that the students were sufficiently prepared to move on to the next level or get their grade. diploma, according to the TEA.

“TEA will work with school systems this summer and in the coming school years to strengthen their efforts to accelerate learning by making available rigorous teaching materials, additional support for teachers, help where necessary to lengthen the teaching time. learning and targeted tutoring “, according to the TEA press release.

Texas STAAR results can be found by school district, grade level, and subject to https://bit.ly/3Aah2BH. Parents can connect to https://texasassessment.gov/ to learn more about a child’s scores.

After:El Paso ISD scores ‘B’, but several schools receive state failure scores

After:EPISD Alpha Team members visit students at their homes to help them graduate in August

Cristina Carreon can be contacted at ccarreon@elpasotimes.com and @ Cris_carreon90 on Twitter.