AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Independent School District students scored above state averages in most reading, math and social studies assessments in the 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), according to preliminary results released Tuesday by the Texas Education Agency.
The results showed that students in grades three through eight outperformed statewide averages in several subjects and, in some cases, exceeded pre-pandemic performance levels. However, students who took tests in Spanish and seventh-grade math students posted results below state averages.
An Austin ISD spokesperson attributed the gains to additional academic support programs and strategic staffing initiatives.
“Austin ISD will continue to invest into our campuses that need additional academic support, including putting highly-effective teachers and curriculum support with the students who need them most,” district officials said in a statement.
In reading, 59% of Austin ISD third-grade students met grade-level standards, up from 58% last year and 51% before the COVID-19 pandemic. The district’s third-grade reading performance exceeded the statewide average of 51%.
Students who took reading assessments in Spanish posted lower results. Twenty percent of Austin ISD third-grade students taking the Spanish-language reading test met grade-level standards, compared with 28% statewide. In fourth grade, 12% of Austin ISD Spanish-language test takers met grade-level standards, compared with 29% statewide. In fifth grade, 19% met grade-level standards, compared with 35% statewide.
Austin ISD seventh- and eighth-grade students also scored above statewide averages in reading. Statewide, the percentage of seventh-grade students meeting grade-level standards increased from 52% to 54%, while eighth-grade results increased from 56% to 59%.
In math, 46% of Austin ISD third-grade students met grade-level standards, two percentage points above the statewide average. Fourth-grade students recorded gains, with 52% meeting standards, surpassing pre-pandemic performance levels.
Spanish-language math results lagged behind statewide averages. Eight percent of Austin ISD third-grade students who took the math test in Spanish met grade-level standards, compared with 28% statewide. Among fourth-grade students, 12% met standards, compared with 29% statewide.
Fifty-one percent of Austin ISD fifth-grade students met grade-level standards in math, exceeding the statewide average. However, sixth-grade students posted a 37% proficiency rate, below the statewide average of 39%.
Austin ISD seventh-grade students recorded some of the district’s lowest results. Only 15% met grade-level standards in math, compared with 28% statewide. State officials attributed part of the statewide decline in seventh-grade math performance to an increase in students taking eighth-grade math assessments.
In social studies, 41% of Austin ISD eighth-grade students met grade-level standards, compared with 32% statewide. The district’s performance also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
The Texas Education Agency did not release science results for fifth and eighth grades because of recent curriculum changes. The agency said it will publish those results on July 31 after completing score standardization.
The STAAR results also carry implications for several Austin ISD campuses. Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools, which have received four consecutive failing accountability ratings, improved their reading and math performance but remained below grade-level benchmarks.
The Texas Education Agency is expected to release campus accountability ratings in August. Under state law, continued failing ratings at those campuses could trigger state intervention in the district.
Families can access individual student results through the Texas Education Agency website and Austin ISD’s online portal.
