News Summary
The Texas Education Agency reports improvements in STAAR test scores for reading, mathematics, and science for grades 3-8. However, San Antonio districts face significant challenges, particularly in mathematics, with alarming statistics for middle school students struggling to meet standards. While some gains have been made in younger grades, ongoing issues reveal the need for further efforts to address academic disparities.
San Antonio, Texas – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has reported improvements in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test scores for 2025, indicating positive trends in reading and mathematics for grades 3-8, along with gains in science for fifth and eighth grades, and social studies for eighth grade. However, San Antonio districts are facing significant challenges, particularly in mathematics.
Statewide results show that reading language arts (RLA) scores have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the effectiveness of strategic educational supports implemented in recent years. The largest gain was observed in fifth-grade RLA, where there was a 4% increase in students meeting grade-level expectations. Additionally, scores in third and fourth grades rose by 3% each, and eighth-grade scores increased by 2%. The percentage of seventh and eighth graders meeting grade-level standards remained stable, akin to the previous year’s results.
Contrastingly, the three largest school districts in the San Antonio area—North East Independent School District (NEISD), Northside Independent School District (NISD), and San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD)—demonstrated worrisome statistics in RLA. In particular, 43% of students in sixth and seventh grades at SAISD failed to meet the standards.
In mathematics, the STAAR results showed notable increases in third and eighth grades, with scores rising by 4% and 5%, respectively. However, fourth-grade math performance only improved by 1%, while fifth and seventh-grade scores witnessed minor declines. A concerning trend emerged in middle school mathematics; over half of the seventh graders in NEISD, NISD, and SAISD did not meet the math standard. SAISD saw 76% of seventh graders fall short, followed by NISD at 66% and NEISD at 57% not meeting the requisite benchmarks.
Statewide, 48% of seventh-grade students failed to meet the math standard, with a mere 52% passing and approximately 10% achieving mastery of the test. Furthermore, TEA reported encouraging improvements in science scores, with a 3% increase for fifth graders and a 4% increase for eighth graders. However, the social studies scores for eighth graders statewide decreased by 1% compared to the previous year.
While there have been signs of growth in some math scores, education officials have expressed concerns regarding the ongoing struggles in middle school math, indicating that further efforts are crucial for improvement. In San Antonio, elementary and middle school students have generally outperformed high schoolers, showing gains in reading and science. However, weak performances in math and social studies suggest that the recovery from pandemic setbacks is still ongoing.
Locally, districts averaged a decrease of three percentage points in passing rates for eighth-grade social studies and fifth-grade mathematics. The passing rates for high school subjects in San Antonio ISD typically trailed the state average when compared to NEISD and NISD, highlighting a disparity in educational outcomes.
In recent years, several school districts in the San Antonio area have reported improvements in third-grade reading, noting some significant gains but highlighting uneven results across other grade levels and subjects. The STAAR tests continue to be a polarizing topic; while some argue they induce anxiety and perpetuate ineffective teaching practices, others maintain that they serve as vital accountability measures for schools.
The TEA’s latest assessments paint a mixed picture of educational achievements across Texas. As districts work towards optimizing student performance, the focus remains on addressing areas in need of improvement, particularly in mathematics, to raise academic standards and ensure all students have the tools necessary for success.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: STAAR test
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio school districts
- Express News
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Agency
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas education
- KSAT News
- Google News: San Antonio test scores
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.
