The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the 2025 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) exam data, in which Houston ISD students showed progress. The five subjects include Algebra, Biology, English I, English II and U.S. History. More students in HISD approached grade level in most of these subjects compared to last year.
Yet, HISD’s Black students scored significantly below those benchmarks in most subjects. While students showed relative strength in U.S. History and Biology, overall performance still lags behind state averages, highlighting persistent disparities in academic achievement.
Statewide, 47% of all Texas students met grade level in Algebra I (up from 45% in 2024) and 62% met grade level in Biology (up from 57%), English I and English II saw slight declines, with 51% (down from 54%) and 56% (down from 60%) of students meeting grade level, respectively. U.S. History remained relatively stable, with 68% meeting grade level, down a percentage point from 2024.
Exam-by-Exam Breakdown
Algebra I
- Districtwide: 51% of students met grade level and 73% scored “Approaches and Above”
- HISD Black Students: 41% met grade level, 73% scored “Approaches and Above,” 27% did not meet grade levels
- Statewide: Out of all students, 76% scored “Approaches and Above,” while 24% failed
Although statewide performance in Algebra I improved from 45% last year to 47%, only 41% of Black students in HISD met grade-level standards.
English I
- Districtwide: 46% met grade level, 61% were “Approaches and Above,” 39% did not meet grade levels
- HISD Black Students: 39% met grade level, 58% “Approaches and Above” and 42% did not meet grade levels
- Statewide: Out of all students, 61% scored “Approaches and Above,” while 39% failed
The English I results were more sobering. Less than four in ten Black students met grade level, and 42% did not meet the standard, substantially higher than HISD’s “Did Not Meet” percentage.
English II
- Districtwide: 52% met grade level, 68% were “Approaches and Above” and 32% failed
- HISD Black Students: 45% met grade level, 66% “Approaches and Above” and 34% failed
- Statewide: Out of all students, 68% scored “Approaches and Above,” while 32% failed
The English II scores showed a similar trend. While nearly two-thirds of HISD Black students scored in the “Approaches and Above” range, just 45% met grade level, compared to 52% districtwide.
Biology
- Districtwide: 63% met grade level, 91% “Approaches and Above” and 9% failed
- HISD Black Students: 54% met grade level, 88% “Approaches and Above” and 12% failed
- Statewide: Out of all students, 91% scored “Approaches and Above,” while 9% failed
Biology marked one of the stronger subjects for Black students in HISD. With 54% meeting grade level and only 12% falling below standard, they approached, but still trailed, the state average.
U.S. History
- Districtwide: 67% met grade level, 94% “Approaches and Above” and 6% failed
- HISD Black Students: 60% met grade level, 93% “Approaches and Above” and 7% failed
- Statewide: Out of all students, 94% scored “Approaches and Above,” while 6% failed
U.S. History was the strongest performing subject for HISD Black students. While they still fell short of the state’s 67% districtwide meet rate, 93% reached at least the “Approaches” level, and only 6% failed to meet the minimum bar.
Gaps persist despite modest gains
“Texas students and educators continue to work hard to demonstrate academic excellence,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “At the same time, we also recognize that too many students are still not where they need to be academically. Using a reliable system of assessments, we can continue making progress on the strategies that are most effective in improving student learning and long-term success.”
For Black students in Houston, the disparities across English and math highlight the need for more targeted intervention, particularly as these skills are foundational for graduation and college readiness.
Across all five EOC subjects, HISD Black students underperformed relative to their peers across Texas. Even in their strongest subject areas, like U.S. History and Biology, their scores remained below state averages.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles assured the community that Black and brown students are closing the gap across the school district.
“Are they at the state average yet? No,” he told the Defender. “I’m not saying there’s not a gap. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why we’re working so hard and spending resources on the new education system schools, because the kids who are underserved are further behind. Our white students need a good education, too. You’re gonna see that our white students also improve… Did they improve as much as the Black and brown kids? No. Our white students are well above the state average in proficiency. And so that’s what you mean by the gap. But I feel very confident that that gap is closing.”
