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Tyler ISD officials present preliminary STAR and EOC test results; English I score dip mirrors state trend
Summary
District leaders reported preliminary STAR and EOC results showing gains in elementary reading and math and math meeting/mastery, but noted a drop between eighth-grade STAR reading and high-school English I that reflects statewide patterns.
Tyler ISD staff presented preliminary STAR (Grades 3–8) and EOC (end-of-course) results to the Board of Trustees, saying the district saw gains in several areas but also a notable drop when eighth-grade STAR reading results transition to the English I EOC.
Dr. Lance Gropel, deputy superintendent for administration, and Dr. James Cureton, lead psychometrician, told trustees that preliminary STAR data show Tyler ISD met its third-grade reading goal this year, with “about 72.5%” passing at the approaches level against a goal of 70.5%. Dr. Kirtan (presenting cohort data) said the district also saw increases in meets-and-masters measures in several grades and subjects, and highlighted gains in middle- and high-school math including Algebra I.
Trustees asked why English I showed a decline compared with the eighth-grade STAR reading cohort. Dr. Cureton and Dr. Gropel said the drop is consistent with preliminary statewide results and attributed it to two main factors: a change in test format and adjustments to cut scores set by the state after final scoring. Dr. Gropel warned that some subgroup numbers (special education, for example) shown in the STAR-only slides will change when STAR-ALT and other vendor results are added to produce the full accountability picture.
Board members pressed for more detailed campus- and subgroup-level analysis. Trustees were told staff will receive STAR-ALT data and other test vendor results later in the week; once those are combined staff will provide updated, cumulative figures and campus-level action plans this summer.
Why this matters: State assessments contribute to campus and district accountability ratings and inform summer planning. Trustees said they want a post‑report “autopsy” to explain declines and guide corrective actions.
No formal vote was taken on the presentation; staff said more complete data and follow-up analysis will be provided when all vendor and ALT results arrive.
