Texas Students Are Winning at Reading but Losing at Math

The latest STAAR exam results are giving Texas parents something to smile about, at least when it comes to reading. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores just dropped, and it turns out our Texas third graders are finally hitting their stride in literacy. Reading scores are up by three percentage points, a solid win for a post-pandemic classroom still finding its rhythm.

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Reading Between the Lines

Now, I’m not saying Texas kids can read minds, but they sure are getting better at reading between the lines, and that’s a big deal. Especially considering how hard things got back in 2020 and 2021 during COVID, when learning shifted to homes, screens, and kitchen tables. Many kids fell behind, but it’s clear that reading is on the rebound.

According to the Texas Education Agency, just about all Texas school children have benefitted from early literacy programs, teacher reading academies, and expanded pre-K access. As a father of eight, I always encouraged my kids to read what they love, comics, sports magazines, even cereal boxes, because once reading becomes fun, it becomes a superpower.

Math… Still Not Quite Adding Up

While reading gains are making headlines, math is still struggling to catch up. Only 43% of students met grade-level expectations in math, a small increase from last year but still short of the 50% mark Texas hit before the pandemic. Let’s just say, the numbers don’t lie… but they’re not exactly lining up either.

State leaders worry this gap in math skills could affect Texas’ future workforce, especially in STEM careers. That’s why a new school finance package passed this year includes required teacher training in math instruction, similar to what’s worked so well for literacy.

Science Scores Spark Hope

The good news doesn’t stop with reading. Science scores among fifth and eighth graders also climbed, 3 and 4 percentage points respectively, showing more signs that Texas students are regaining ground lost during the pandemic years. Even students in special education made small gains.

Unfortunately, English learners saw some setbacks, with slight decreases in reading, math, and social studies.

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STAAR Still a Hot Topic

Not everyone is celebrating. While STAAR is designed to measure student progress, many parents and teachers say the high-stakes nature of the test creates stress and robs classrooms of valuable teaching time. A bill that would have overhauled or even scrapped the STAAR exam didn’t pass this session, though lawmakers agree reform is needed.

Still, with new academic support systems in place, especially for kids before they ever take their first STAAR test in third grade, Texas is investing in helping students succeed, and that’s a story worth telling.

A Note from Casa Fernandez: Reading vs. Math Showdown

Now, I’ll admit, I’ve always been better with numbers than novels. I read to learn, to grow, and to stay informed, but sitting down with a fictional book has never quite been my cup of tea. That said, in the Fernandez household, the story’s a little different.

My five daughters (and my sweet wife Donna) love nothing more than curling up with a good book, on the couch, in the car, or tucked in bed. Meanwhile, my three boys are usually on the move, crunching numbers and hustling hard to keep the bank account balanced and the fridge stocked. How that divide happened? Who knows! But in our house, the girls are Daddy’s girls, and the boys are Mama’s boys. And that’s just the way we like it.