Dear Spring Branch ISD Families, Staff and Community Members,

As we look forward to the beginning of a new school year tomorrow, I am excited to look back on the 2023-24 school year and celebrate our students, staff and schools. For the fifth year in a row, Spring 2024 STAAR test results affirm SBISD students have shown significant academic gains across grade levels districtwide.

The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test is used to measure students’ achievement and progress through assessments in grades three through eight in mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. STAAR End of Course (EOC) assessments are given in Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.

Successful STAAR results are measured based on three performance level standards: “approaches grade level or above,” “meets grade level or above,” and “masters grade level.”
In SBISD, we consider multiple measures of academic performance. While the STAAR test is not our only measure of success, it is important in determining where our students perform in comparison to the state and region. Additionally, while SBISD does not necessarily agree with some of the changes in the accountability system and has concerns, we are proud of our students and their achievement on the redesigned assessment.

Here are some highlights of our district’s Spring 2024 STAAR results:

Highlights of STAAR, Grades 3 - 8

1. Overall, the district exceeded the state and region in all four subjects tested at the Meets Grade Level or Above and the Masters Grade Level by up to 11 points.
2. Overall district performance at the Approaches Grade Level or Above was the same or higher in all four subjects tested compared to the state and region.
3. District elementary performance, grades 3 through 5, exceeded the state and region in every subject at every performance level by up to 13 points.
4. In middle school, grades 6 through 8, district performance exceeded the state and region at the Meets Grade Level or Above and the Masters Grade Level in 7 of 8 areas by up to 18 points.
5. District Science performance in both 5th and 8th grade and Social Studies in 8th grade exceeded the state and region in both grades at all performance levels by up to 9 points.

Highlights of End of Course Exams (EOCs)

2024 District Performance:

1. Exceeded the region and state in 11 of 15 measures by up to 12 points;
2. Exceeded the region and state in Algebra I and US History at all three performance levels; and
3. Exceeded the region and state at both the Meets Grade Level or Above and the Masters performance levels in all subjects tested.

I am beyond proud of our students for their #CollectiveGreatness, hard work and dedication.

These results affirm our students are Academically Prepared, the first and foremost of our Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate. We are committed to ensuring Every Child finds joy in learning, has a learner’s mindset and is motivated and equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to succeed in life.

We know these successes also are the result of our outstanding educators and administrators as well as our families, partners and volunteers who put forth so much time, effort, and heart to ensure our students have the instruction, support and opportunities they need to learn and grow.

Last year, we made difficult decisions to address our district's budget gap. With those difficult decisions behind us, we will do our best to provide the excellent service and experiences you expect, and our students deserve, despite reduced staff and resources. We will continue our strong focus on SBISD’s key academic priorities: literacy, numeracy, students supports, Emergent Bilinguals, and Career and Technical Education.

Wishing you all a safe, successful and joyful 2024-25 school year.

Sincerely,