BISD Students Post Gains on New Tests

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released the 2013 passing rates for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) for Brownsville ISD. This is the second year for the state’s new testing program which is designed to measure post-secondary success. The state of Texas reported relatively stable End-of-Course (EOC) results this year. However, Brownsville ISD’s passing rates for 2013 showed significant increases in 4 EOC subject areas when compared to 2012 rates. English I Writing posted the largest overall gain at 10% followed by an 8% jump in English I Reading. Algebra I increased 5% and World Geography improved 3%. BISD also surpassed the state English I Writing passing rate of 54% with a rate of 56%. District students in grades 6-8 registered gains of 9% in science, 6% in social studies and 3% in both reading and math. Under state law, students in grades 5 and 8 must pass STAAR reading and math tests in order to be promoted to the next grade under the state’s Student Success Initiative. At the 3rd-5th grade level, BISD students gained 8% in math, followed by 4% in science and 3% in both reading and math.