We have been anxiously awaiting the results of the newly designed STAAR exam, which is longer and more challenging than its predecessors. How different is it? Well, third-grade students faced a substantial increase in the number of questions, from 34 to 52, extending the test time from two to five hours. FIVE HOURS FOR A 9-YEAR-OLD!?!?! If this wasn’t enough, the Texas Education Agency required the STAAR to be administered online for the first time. This shift has tested the Wylie Way of GRIT for students and educators alike.
Despite these enormous challenges, Wylie ISD students have demonstrated remarkable achievements. How remarkable? Of the 20 STAAR/EOC tests taken, Wylie’s kids exhibited improvement on 18 tests, or in other words, improved on 90% of them. Notably, the percentage of students who passed the test either increased or remained consistent on 18 out of 20 tests. Even in cases where improvement was not uniform, the decrease was marginal, highlighting how awesome we are!!!!
Let’s celebrate a few highlights:
The new STAAR accountability system may present challenges, but we have proven that we are prepared for whatever challenges are presented. We are ready to achieve the Wylie Way! Congrats on these amazing results!
Over the next few weeks, we will also share more information about the changes to the accountability system. If you’d like to learn more now, please consider watching the two videos below. One is a board presentation given by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kim Spicer at the Aug. 21 Board Meeting, and the other is a 3-minute video as I talk to Dr. Spicer about all things STAAR.
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