{"id":16462,"date":"2025-03-24T15:38:41","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T19:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=16462"},"modified":"2025-03-26T11:49:51","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:49:51","slug":"2024-staar-results-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/2024-staar-results-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down the 2024 STAAR Results: Where Students Struggled and Why"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the 2024\u20132025 school year wraps up, a closer look at the <\/span>2024 STAAR results<\/span><\/a> reveals important insights into student performance across Reading Language Arts (RLA), Math, Science, and Social Studies. While some grades are showing progress, subjects like Science and Math still pose significant challenges\u2014especially at certain grade levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

This post explores key trends, performance by grade, and takes a deeper dive into the steep decline in Science scores and what might be driving it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Reading Language Arts (RLA)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Overall Performance\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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  • In 2024, 47% of students met grade level in RLA\u2014down from 53% in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • While scores haven\u2019t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, middle school grades are showing slight improvements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Grade-Level Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n
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    • Grades 3\u20135 showed mixed results:<\/span>\n
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      • Grade 3: 46% (\u2193 from 48% in 2022)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Grade 4: 49% (\u2191 from 46%)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Grade 5: 53% (\u2193 from 55%)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Grades 6\u20138 held steady or improved slightly:<\/span>\n
          \n
        • Grade 6: 54% (\u2191 from 50%)<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Grade 8: 54% (unchanged)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \u2705 <\/span>Key Takeaway<\/b>: Middle schoolers are slowly making gains in RLA, but overall performance still trails behind pre-COVID benchmarks.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \u2797 Mathematics<\/b><\/h2>\n

          Overall Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n
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          • Only 41% of students met grade level in 2024, a notable drop from 50% in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Algebra I scores have flatlined since 2021, with just 45% meeting grade level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Grade-Level Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n
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            • Performance in grades 3\u20135 has dipped slightly:<\/span>\n
                \n
              • Grade 3: 40% (\u2193 from 43%)<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Grade 4: 44% (\u2193 from 46%)<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Grade 5: 48% (\u2193 from 49%)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • The decline is sharper in middle school:<\/span>\n
                  \n
                • Grade 6: 37% (unchanged)<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Grade 7: 32% (\u2193 from 35%)<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Grade 8: 40% (\u2193 from 44%)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \u2705 <\/span>Key Takeaway<\/b>: Math performance continues to decline as students progress through the grades, and Algebra I scores remain stagnant.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \ud83c\udf0d Social Studies<\/b><\/h2>\n

                  Overall Performance\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • 49% met grade level in 2024, nearly identical to 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Grade 8 Social Studies remains unchanged at 31%.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \u2705 <\/span>Key Takeaway<\/b>: While stable, Social Studies scores have seen little to no growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \ud83d\udd2c Science<\/b><\/h2>\n

                    Overall Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • In 2024, just 42% of students met grade level in Science\u2014down from 53% in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • This subject saw one of the steepest declines across all tested areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Grade-Level Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • Grade 5: 26% met grade level\u2014down dramatically from 47% in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
                      • Grade 8: 42% (\u2193 from 49% in 2021)<\/span>
                        \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        What\u2019s Behind the Drop in Grade 5?<\/b><\/h3>\n

                        The decline in 5th-grade Science performance can\u2019t be explained by test difficulty alone. A combination of limited instructional time, foundational gaps, and evolving test design all contribute to the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Limited Instructional Time<\/b><\/h4>\n

                        In many elementary schools, Science doesn\u2019t receive the same daily focus as Reading or Math. Because it\u2019s not tested in Grades 3 and 4, schools often prioritize tested subjects, sidelining Science until it appears on the Grade 5 assessment. As a result, students are expected to master two years’ worth of content in one year\u2014leaving them to play catch-up.In self-contained classrooms, teachers may also feel more confident teaching literacy and math, leading to less frequent or less rigorous science instruction in the early grades.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Foundational Gaps from Early Grades<\/b><\/h4>\n

                        When Science isn\u2019t consistently taught in Grades 3 and 4, students enter 5th grade without the background knowledge needed to meet expectations. Instead of building understanding over time, they\u2019re asked to absorb an entire subject in a single year\u2014an uphill climb for both students and educators.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        New Testing Format Adds Complexity<\/b><\/h4>\n

                        Beginning in 2025\u20132026, the STAAR Grade 5 Science test will adopt a new format. Rather than presenting standalone multiple-choice questions, the test will feature question clusters tied to a passage. This structure mirrors reading comprehension assessments and requires students to:<\/span><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Analyze and synthesize information<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Apply scientific concepts in context<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Navigate more complex and unfamiliar question formats<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          While these skills are valuable, many students haven\u2019t practiced them in a science setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          In addition, recent STAAR redesigns introduced Technology-Enhanced Items (TEIs), which increase the cognitive load of the test. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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                          • Evidence-Based Selected Response<\/b>: Students must answer two related questions correctly to earn full credit\u2014partial understanding can mean zero points.<\/span><\/li>\n
                          • Drag-and-Drop Items<\/b>: Multiple draggable options increase the chance of misplaced answers.<\/span><\/li>\n
                          • Constructed Response<\/b>: Students must explain their thinking, requiring deeper understanding and higher-order reasoning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            For many students, the real challenge isn\u2019t the science content\u2014it\u2019s navigating the structure of the test itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

                            How This Impacts 5th-Grade Science Scores<\/b><\/h3>\n

                            Students already struggling with foundational science knowledge are now facing a more cognitively demanding assessment. Even students who understand the material may score poorly if they lack test-taking strategies or aren\u2019t comfortable with the digital format.<\/span><\/p>\n

                            And since TEIs are now used across all subjects, students may experience fatigue or frustration\u2014especially by the time they reach the Science section.<\/span><\/p>\n

                            What Needs to Change?<\/b><\/h3>\n
                              \n
                            • Prioritize Science Earlier<\/b>: Consistent science instruction in Grades 3 and 4 can prevent knowledge gaps before they begin.<\/span><\/li>\n
                            • Support Teachers<\/b>: Targeted professional development can help teachers feel more confident delivering high-quality science instruction earlier in the learning journey.<\/span><\/li>\n
                            • TEKS-Aligned, Easy-to-Use Resources<\/b>: Practical, ready-to-implement tools can help bridge gaps in both content and teacher preparedness.<\/span><\/li>\n
                            • Regular Practice with New Formats<\/b>: Familiarizing students with technology-enhanced items can reduce testing anxiety and allow them to focus on demonstrating what they know\u2014not how to take the test.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              \u2705 <\/span>Key Takeaway<\/b>: Grade 5 Science scores are low because students lack a strong foundation in earlier grades. More consistent instruction in Grades 3 and 4, especially including TEI\u2019s, could improve long-term performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              If Texas wants to improve student success, investing in early-grade science instruction, better math support in middle school, and further intentional practice with the tech enhanced items could make the biggest difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              If you need more TEKS-aligned content complete with TEI’s that mimic the real STAAR exam, take 20 seconds to fill out the form below and see exactly how Progress Learning can help.
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