News Summary
The Texas Education Agency has revealed concerning performance scores for San Antonio high school students on the STAAR end-of-course exams. The San Antonio Independent School District reported significantly lower passing rates across all subjects compared to state averages, highlighting the need for immediate academic intervention. While other local districts outperformed the state averages, issues such as a high percentage of students scoring zeros on the English II essay raise concerns about the validity of the automated grading system. Administrators are now focusing on innovative strategies to address these challenges.
San Antonio – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced critical performance scores for high school students on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) end-of-course exams on June 10, 2025. Overall, San Antonio school districts displayed concerning trends, with the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) recording significantly lower passing rates than the state average in all subjects evaluated.
Students were tested in several core subjects: Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History during the spring of 2025. While the North East Independent School District (NEISD) and Northside Independent School District (NISD) surpassed the state’s passing rates across all subjects, SAISD exhibited lower performance, revealing a need for immediate academic intervention.
In state performance metrics, approximately 24% of Texas students failed to meet grade level standards, whereas 76% of students passed. Moreover, 29% managed to master the test, a decline from spring 2024, which reported 9% failing and 91% passing rates. This year’s assessment scores show a significant drop in the academic proficiency of students compared to previous years.
Particularly alarming are the results from Algebra I, where passing rates for SAISD students fell from 72% to 67%. Northside ISD also experienced a decline, dropping from 82% to 78%. In English II, SAISD saw a passing rate decrease from 61% to 57%, while Northside ISD’s rates fell from 81% to 78%.
In contrast, Biology results remained relatively stable, with Northside ISD achieving a slight increase from 94% to 95%. Additionally, Northside consistently performed well in U.S. History, maintaining a strong 95% passing rate. However, overall achievement in reading and math has declined in San Antonio districts, mirroring a statewide regression in performance coinciding with the shift to online testing and alterations to the scoring system.
A significant concern arises from an alarming 35% of students scoring a zero on the essay portion of the English II exam. This issue sheds light on potential difficulties associated with the automated grading system implemented for this year’s assessments.
In response to these disappointing results, many school districts are proactively adjusting their curriculums to target specific learning gaps and enhance future student readiness for the STAAR exams. Administrators are recognizing the need for innovative instructional strategies and resources to improve student outcomes in the upcoming academic year.
Looking ahead, the TEA is scheduled to release results for grades 3-8 on June 17, 2025. This forthcoming review will provide further insight into how the younger student populations are faring in relation to their older peers and the overall impact of educational policies on academic performance across Texas.
The data indicates a critical juncture for San Antonio school districts as they navigate these challenges to elevate educational standards and outcomes for students in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT: STAAR Test Performance in San Antonio
- Wikipedia: State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness
- Express News: San Antonio High Schools and Reading Scores
- Google Search: Texas Education Assessment
- Fox San Antonio: Bill to Scrap STAAR Test
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Standardized Test
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
