Boyd Elementary, a school in Wise County, Texas, has achieved impressive results in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test. The recently released STAAR results for grades 3-8 revealed that Boyd Elementary students have shown improvement compared to previous years. The Texas Education Agency released the results for various subjects, including reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.
With an overall passing rate of 69.13 percent, Boyd Elementary stood out in Wise County. In fact, Alvord Independent School District (ISD) also performed exceptionally well, surpassing state averages in every subject with 82.08 percent of students passing. Northwest ISD was the only other district in Wise County that exceeded state averages in all subjects.
The success of Boyd Elementary can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of its students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Alvord Superintendent Randy Brown acknowledged the effort put into daily learning and expressed satisfaction with the positive results the school achieved in the STAAR tests.
However, not all schools in Wise County saw the same level of success. Slidell, for example, struggled to meet the state average across all subjects. Slidell Superintendent Taylor Williams attributed the difficulties to abrupt changes in the assessment’s format and grading system, making it challenging for teachers and students to adequately prepare.
Particularly concerning were the low scores for Slidell fourth graders, with only 49 percent passing the reading assessment and 36 percent passing the math assessment.
Statewide, math scores in Texas have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, although there has been an improvement in the number of students passing the STAAR since the pandemic. However, several schools in Wise County, including Alvord, Bridgeport, Chico, Northwest, and Paradise ISD managed to surpass the state average passing rate in math.
Chico ISD, which recently transitioned to a four-day school week, almost reached the overall state average passing rate but fell short due to low social studies scores. Similarly, Paradise ISD performed well in other subjects but struggled in social studies, with only 55 percent of students passing the assessment.
Decatur ISD displayed mixed results, with below-average scores in math and social studies but above-average scores in reading and science, ultimately aligning with the state average across all subjects.
Boyd ISD excelled in science, outperforming the state average, and witnessed improvements in other areas as well. Boyd Superintendent Leslie Vann attributed these positive outcomes to the school’s first-time implementation of the STAAR online test, redesigned to include new question types and evidence-based writing. Vann expressed gratitude for the committed work of teachers, support staff, and administrators.
Meanwhile, Bridgeport ISD narrowly surpassed the state average in all grade levels and subjects, missing the mark only in reading assessments. Superintendent Amy Ellis highlighted the school’s exceptional performance in middle school, where results for sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students were consistently six percentage points above the state average.
Overall, the STAAR results highlight the achievements and areas for improvement across schools in Wise County. While some schools in the district have excelled in various subjects, there is still work to be done to ensure all students reach their full academic potential and meet state standards.
In the ever-evolving educational landscape, it is crucial for schools to adapt to changes in assessment formats and grading systems, providing students and teachers with necessary support and preparation. By focusing on continued learning, consistent effort, and a student-centered approach, schools can strive for even greater success in the future.
