AISD outperforms state on STAAR, EOC exams
Final results from the Texas Education Agency show Albany ISD students performed well on the spring 2025 STAAR and End of Course exams, with AISD passing rates well above statewide averages in most subjects.
Leigh Lowe, Albany ISD director of student services, said the district is seeing consistent performance and encouraging growth.
“Scores remain steady and we are showing growth in the Meets and Masters categories,” Lowe said. “In most areas we are close to or above the region and state averages in the targeted categories.”
She noted that state testing occurs on a single day but reflects weeks and months of work and dedication.
“We are proud of our students and staff and look forward to another year of growth and learning in Albany ISD,” Lowe said.
Nancy Smith Elementary sees major gains
Nancy Smith Elementary School principal Jenci Chambers praised strong performance across the board.
“The elementary showed huge growth and gains in our scores,” she said. “In almost all areas, we outperformed the region and state.”
Notable results included a perfect 100% passing and growth rate in fourth grade reading, full passage for sixth grade students in advanced math, and significant gains among students in special education.
“We will continue to focus on our Meets and Masters levels in our ongoing effort to reach 60% Meets and 30% Masters in each area,” said the NSES principal. “I am extremely proud of our teachers and our students for a job well done this year.”
High School Results
“I was very pleased with our EOC scores,” said Albany Junior/Senior High School principal Ezra Chambers. “I was very proud of the work our high school teachers did in preparing students for the test and proud of our kids for performing so well.”
He added that junior high scores were not where the school wants them to be, but steps would be taken in the fall to improve.
“Mind you, we do not preach about test scores – we teach the curriculum, and good things happen,” Chambers said. “We have amazing teachers and students here in Albany.”
District Perspective
“Scores remain steady and we are showing growth in the Meets and Masters categories,” said Lowe. “All grade levels are monitoring growth throughout the year to achieve the higher standards.”
She noted that in most areas, Albany ISD is close to or above the region and state averages.
“The EOC scores look very similar to past years,” Lowe added. “We did see a larger percentage in the Meets category in Biology and a slight increase in other areas of growth. We have to remember that each year a different group of students is taking each test, so we are not comparing apples to apples.”
“It is not necessary to focus on one test score,” she said. “We look at the growth and accomplishments of our students from year to year.”
Statewide Comparison
According to the Texas Education Agency, Albany ISD’s End-of-Course exam passing rates exceeded statewide results in every subject area:
•Algebra I: AISD – 84%, State – 78%
•Biology: AISD – 97%, State – 87%
•English I: AISD – 82%, State – 60%
•English II: AISD – 74%, State – 66%
•U.S. History: AISD – 94%, State – 89%
STAAR performance at the elementary and junior high levels were also above the state percentage in all but four eighth grade areas.
•Grade 3 Reading: AISD – 85%, State – 71%
•Grade 4 Reading: AISD – 100%, State – 73%
•Grade 5 Reading: AISD – 83%, State – 77%
•Grade 6 Reading: AISD – 72%, State – 67%
•Grade 7 Reading: AISD – 82%, State – 69%
•Grade 8 Reading: AISD – 66%, State – 69%
•Grade 3 Math: AISD – 82%, State – 73%
•Grade 4 Math: AISD – 81%, State – 71%
•Grade 5 Math: AISD – 69%, State – 65%
•Grade 6 Math: AISD – 71%, State – 64%
•Grade 7 Math: AISD – 69%, State – 58%
•Grade 8 Math: AISD – 46%, State – 55%
•Grade 5 Science: AISD – 69%, State – 64%
•Grade 8 Science: AISD – 66%, State – 69%
•Grade 8 Social Studies: AISD – 34%, State – 55%
Understanding the test scores
STAAR and EOC results are reported in three performance levels: approaches, meets, and masters. All three are currently considered passing by the state, but only meets and masters indicate that a student is fully meeting or exceeding standards.
Though the Texas Education Agency originally planned to remove the approaches designation as a passing level, that shift has not yet been implemented—largely due to pandemic era disruptions.
High school students must pass five EOC exams to graduate and may retake any failed test up to two additional times per year.
Elementary students who do not pass are not required to retest, but must complete 30 hours of accelerated learning in each affected subject.
“Most of that instruction happens during summer school, but if a student didn’t attend each day, they will need to finish it in the fall,” said Jenci Chambers, principal of Nancy Smith Elementary.
Lowe noted that parents using the Ascender Parent Portal last year can access test results online.
“There is a link on the Ascender Parent Portal that is a green bar labeled Texas Assessment,” she said. Parents not set up on the portal may visit www.texasassessment.gov and follow the instructions to obtain their student’s unique access code.
