STAAR results: How did Fort Worth ISD, Dallas ISD do?

DALLAS — Spring STAAR test results released Monday showed gains in reading and math statewide. 

Students in grades 3-8 were tested in reading and math, and fifth and eighth graders were also tested in science and social studies. 

The number of students meeting grade level in reading surpassed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and improved across nearly every grade level, according to the TEA. 

Here’s how the results broke down across the state and in North Texas’ two largest school districts, Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD:

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) reports 49% of third-grade students met grade level in reading statewide, as did 52% of fourth graders, 57% of fifth graders, 54% of sixth graders, 52% of seventh graders, and 56% of eighth graders. 

TEA reports that the percentage of fifth-grade students meeting grade level increased by 4%, 3% for students in grades 3 and 4, and 2% for eighth-grade students statewide. The percentage of students who scored on grade level in grades 6 and 7 remained steady, matching last year’s results, according to the report.

“These results are encouraging and reflect the impact of the strategic supports we’ve implemented in recent years,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “With RLA scores now surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we are seeing meaningful signs of academic recovery and progress. While this year also saw some improvements in math, clearly more work is needed.”  

In math, TEA reports performance varied across grade levels, but grades 3 and 8 saw notable gains. 

According to the report, 44% of third-grade students met grade level in math, as did 45% of fourth and fifth grade students, 38% of sixth-grade students, 31% of seventh-grade students and 45% of eighth-grade students.

TEA reports the percentage of third-grade students who met grade level rose by 4% and 1% for fourth-grade students, dropped by 3% for fifth-grade students, rose by 1% for sixth graders, dropped 1% for seventh-graders, and rose 5% for eighth-graders.

DISD saw gains across most grade levels in reading, but posted results below statewide scores.

TEA reports 47% of DISD third graders met grade level on the reading test, as did 52% of fourth graders, 57% of fifth graders, 48% of sixth graders, 47% of seventh graders and 51% of eighth graders. 

Last year, 42% of DISD third graders met grade level on the reading test, as did 45% of fourth graders, 50% of fifth graders, 47% of sixth graders, 44% of seventh graders and 48% of eighth graders. 

DISD reported modest gains in math across most grade levels, with the exception of a notable rise in scores in third grade and a slight dip in fifth grade. The district’s math scores were also below that reported statewide, though.

In math, 42% of DISD third graders met grade level, as did 45% of fourth graders, 46% of fifth graders, 32% of sixth graders, 7% of seventh graders and 39% of eighth graders. 

Last year, 35% of DISD third-graders met grade level in math, as did 41% of fourth graders, 45% of fifth graders, 32% of sixth graders, 7% of seventh graders and 33% of eighth-graders. 

After the release of school accountability ratings in April prompted talk of a potential state takeover of the district, FWISD reported gains in reading and math across most grade levels. 

“Beyond third grade reading, we are also seeing gains in nearly every tested subject in third through eighth grades – a strong signal that our instructional strategies and support systems are driving meaningful outcomes for students across the district,” FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar said last week when preliminary scores were released. “Our work does not stop here, in fact, it’s only just begun. Moving forward, we have to remain focused on literacy and be willing to make changes in areas we are not performing as we should be,” she added.

FWISD reported gains in reading across grade levels, but posted scores that lagged below those reported statewide. 

The TEA reports 41% of FWISD third graders met grade level in reading, as did 41% of fourth graders, 46% of fifth graders, 38% of sixth graders, 35% of seventh graders, and 26% of eighth graders.

Last year, 33% of FWISD third graders met grade level in reading, followed by 33% of fourth graders, 40% of fifth graders, 34% of sixth graders, 30% of seventh graders and 22% of eighth graders. 

The district reported gains in math across nearly all grade levels. 

TEA reports 34% of FWISD third graders met grade level in math, as did 37% of fourth graders, 34% of fifth graders, 17% of sixth graders, 5% of seventh graders and 31% of eighth graders.

Last year, 29% of FWISD third graders met grade level in math, as did 31% of fourth graders, 36% of fifth graders, 16% of sixth graders, 5% of seventh graders, and 26% of eighth graders.

To view results by district, click here, and to check your child’s personal STAAR test results, click here.