STAAR test results are now available for parents to review their student’s performance. According to the Texas Education Agency, “STAAR is the state's testing program and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects including RLA, mathematics, science, and social studies. STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade.”
Last year, Texas made significant changes to the STAAR test, introducing new question types requiring short constructed responses for reading. Students as young as third grade, are now required to type out responses to reading comprehension questions. In addition to changing questions, the state made changes to the accountability system used to determine school performance. These changes are the first major overhaul since 2020, when STAAR testing started switching to online.
How is China Spring ISD preparing faculty for the new changes? Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Kristen Dutschmann, and her team of instructional coaches provide individualized support for all faculty. Elementary, Intermediate, Middle, and High School campuses have an instructional coach dedicated to helping the faculty within those campuses succeed. “It comes back to good teaching, yes we focused on exposing students to some of the new testing pieces to help familiarize them, but China Spring has always placed an emphasis on foundational teaching practices,” states Dutschmann. Test scores are one component of the educational experience. At China Spring we work to make sure our students have an exceptional experience in the classroom, opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities and positive testing results.
In light of the re-design, China Spring faculty did a great job preparing students for the change. Test results show China Spring ISD outperforming districts across the state. “Our scores came out strong, particularly compared to the state and region,” notes Dutschmann, “That is truly a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers, and campus administrators.”
It is important to remember, the STAAR test results are one component school district evaluation. TEA releases their accountability rating in September. Like the STAAR tests, TEA is implementing a new scale for scoring district accountability ratings. Once these ratings are released, China Spring ISD will provide additional information.