2024 STAAR Scores: Continued Support in Math for Texas Students

Trends Before and After COVID

Reading/Language Arts (RLA)

• Encouraging Improvement: The scores in RLA have shown a promising upward trend, indicating a recovery from the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This positive trend should foster a sense of optimism and encouragement.
• Post-COVID Recovery: There was significant recovery from the lows of 2021, with many grades nearing or surpassing pre-COVID performance levels by 2024.
• Positive Trends in Middle Grades: Solid performance in grades 4 and 6, suggesting effective intervention and instructional strategies.
• Stability and Gains: Most grades have demonstrated stability or improvement in the percentage of students meeting and mastering the assessments.

Mathematics

• Mixed Results: Mathematics scores present a more varied picture, with some grades showing improvement while others have experienced slight declines.
• Slower Recovery: The recovery in Mathematics has been slower than RLA, with many grades still needing help to reach pre-COVID performance levels.
• Need for Continued Support: The data highlights a pressing need for sustained focus and targeted support to address ongoing challenges in Math.
• Incremental Gains: While there have been some improvements, the overall growth in Math performance is less consistent across all grades, underscoring the need for enhanced instructional strategies and resources.

Implications and Recommendations

• Targeted Interventions: Implement specialized support programs, especially in Mathematics, focusing on early literacy and numeracy interventions.
• Professional Development: Provide ongoing training for teachers in evidence-based instructional strategies and data-driven instruction.
• Enhanced Curriculum and Resources: Introduce varied and engaging instructional materials and utilize technology to make learning more relevant.
• Parental and Community Engagement: Foster strong partnerships with parents and the community to support student learning outside the classroom.
• Continuous Monitoring and Assessment: Implement regular formative assessments and establish data analysis teams to review and respond to student performance trends.

The Future for Texas Students: Practical Steps for Growth and Closing Achievement Gaps

Step 1: Develop a Data-Driven Culture

• Utilize Data Analytics Tools: Implement data analytics tools to regularly monitor and analyze student performance data. This helps identify trends, strengths, and areas needing improvement. Schools can use platforms like Eduphoria or Schoolzilla to effectively gather and analyze this data.
• Training for Staff: Train teachers and administrators to interpret and use data to inform instruction and interventions. Regular professional development sessions can focus on data literacy and application.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data to drive decisions at all levels, from classroom instruction to district-wide policies. Establish data review meetings to ensure continuous monitoring and response to student needs.

Step 2: Implement Targeted Interventions

• Identify At-Risk Students: Use data to identify students at risk of falling behind. This includes monitoring attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Tools like Early Warning Systems can help flag students needing additional support.
• Personalized Learning Plans: Develop personalized learning plans for at-risk students, outlining specific goals and strategies tailored to their needs. These plans should be dynamic, regularly reviewed, and adjusted based on progress.
• Small Group Instruction: Utilize small group instruction to provide targeted support for students who need additional help. This can be done through in-class group work or specialized pull-out sessions.

Step 3: Leverage Virtual High-Impact Tutoring

• Partner with Online Tutoring Providers: Collaborate with reputable online tutoring providers to offer high-impact tutoring sessions for students. Providers like BookNook can offer tailored, data-driven tutoring.
• Flexible Scheduling: Schedule tutoring sessions at times that are both research-based and convenient for students and their families, including during and after school. This flexibility can help increase participation and engagement.
• Track Progress: Monitor the progress of students participating in virtual tutoring to ensure they meet their learning goals. Use platforms that allow for progress tracking and reporting, such as the BookNook platform.

Step 4: Enhance Support for English Learners

• Specialized Training for Teachers: Provide professional development for teachers on effective strategies for teaching English learners. This includes workshops on language acquisition and culturally responsive teaching.
• Bilingual Resources: Ensure instructional materials are available in English and students' native languages. This can include bilingual textbooks, online resources, and support tools.
• Parental Engagement: Engage with parents of English learners to support learning at home and keep them informed of their child's progress. Hold regular parent-teacher meetings and provide resources in multiple languages.

Step 5: Focus on Closing Achievement Gaps

• Support Audits: Conduct audits to identify and address disparities in resources, opportunities, and outcomes among student groups. Use the findings to allocate resources where they are most needed.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Implement culturally responsive teaching practices to make learning more relevant and engaging for all students. This includes integrating broad perspectives into the curriculum and creating a supportive classroom environment.
• Community Partnerships: Partner with community organizations to provide additional support and resources for students and families. These partnerships can offer mentorship and enrichment programs.

Step 6: Foster a Supportive Learning Environment

• Social-Emotional Learning: Incorporate programs to help students develop essential life skills, such as resilience, empathy, and self-regulation. 
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Implement PBIS to create a positive school culture and reduce disciplinary issues. This approach focuses on proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors.
• Mental Health Support: Provide students in need with access to mental health services, including counseling and therapy. Establish partnerships with local mental health organizations to offer in-school services.