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Preliminary STAAR and EOC results show gaps; district outlines training, master teachers and Bluebonnet rollout
Summary
District leaders presented preliminary 2025 STAAR and EOC results showing shortfalls at meets and masters levels; the district described plans including hiring master teachers, departmentalization in upper elementary and Bluebonnet curriculum training to raise achievement.
South San Antonio ISD staff presented preliminary 2025 STAAR (STAR) and End-of-Course (EOC) results during the June 16 board meeting and outlined a multi-pronged plan aimed at increasing student mastery.
Dr. Gutierrez presented detailed preliminary scores across EOC subjects and grades 3–8 reading, math, science and social studies. Highlights from the presentation included: Algebra I (EOC) 61% Approaches, 18% Meets and 7% Masters; English I 49% Approaches, 31% Meets and 4% Masters; Algebra II/other courses varied. In grades 3–8, many grade-level assessments showed stronger “approaches” percentages than “meets” and “masters” — for example, several grades reported approaches in the 50s–60s but meets and masters rates were substantially lower. Fifth-grade science showed 40% Approaches, 11% Meets and 3% Masters; eighth-grade social studies was 42% Approaches, 18% Meets and 7% Masters.
District leaders said the results will be finalized July 22, 2025, but used the preliminary numbers as a baseline. The district described a set of instructional actions to accelerate growth: onboarding 25 master teachers to support campuses, requiring lesson-internalization protocols, departmentalizing third–fifth grades in elementary to build teacher content expertise, adopting a single set of high-quality instructional materials (Bluebonnet curriculum) and providing sustained coaching and exemplars. Dr. Gutierrez emphasized weekly walkthroughs, cluster meetings, common formative assessments and unit-assessment cycles so leaders can monitor progress within the first 6–8 weeks of the school year.
Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa told the board district hiring was underway: he cited roughly 76 certified hires to date, a reduction to 27 current vacancies, and significant staff turnover this spring (about 158 resignations, some reassignments to address campus needs). He said the district will place three CIS counselors at middle schools pending board approval (approved later in the meeting) and will begin training sessions in July (Bluebonnet and master-teacher institutes) with follow-up professional development in August and later months.
Board members asked when measurable signals would appear; Dr. Gutierrez said unit-assessment and common formative assessment data after six to eight weeks would provide the first actionable trend data and that MAP beginning-of-year data would provide baseline measures. The district committed to sharing periodic progress with the board.
No formal action was required on the preliminary results themselves; the board approved related consent items later in the meeting that included instructional materials and curriculum purchases.
