South San ISD reports mixed STAAR gains; district touts English and Algebra improvements while math growth needs targeted acceleration

South San Independent School District officials presented preliminary 2026 STAR and end‑of‑course results at the June 15 board meeting, highlighting gains in key subjects while flagging continued work needed in math.

Dr. Gutierrez, the district’s assessment lead, said English I component scores rose from an index of 28 in 2025 to 37 in 2026 and that English II and Algebra I showed substantial year‑over‑year gains. “In algebra I, we moved two component scores from a 29 to a 44,” Dr. Gutierrez said, calling the improvement “a big celebration for our district.” She also reported strong results in several Spanish‑language cohorts, including fourth‑grade gains that placed the district above regional and state comparisons in some measures.

The presentation included detailed cohort comparisons across grades 3–8 and for end‑of‑course exams. Dr. Gutierrez noted that while the district closed gaps at the 'approaches' level in several areas, the 'meets' and 'masters' levels remain double digits behind region and state benchmarks in places. She said science at grades 5 and 8 is in transition because new standards require the agency to set cut points in July.

Board members pressed for specifics on alignment and measurement. One trustee asked whether the regional comparisons referenced Region 20; Dr. Gutierrez confirmed it was Region 20. Trustees also raised questions about the district’s unit assessments and their alignment with STAAR. Dr. Gutierrez acknowledged work remains: “As our assessments get better, they'll have a better pulse,” she said, adding that unit assessments and common formative assessments will be refined and that professional learning is planned for July.

Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa said the results reflected both instructional changes and staffing shifts: the district hired a large cohort of teachers and principals and implemented a new curriculum this year. He noted that the district is budgeting incentive pay for returning teachers and additional supports for paraprofessionals as part of larger improvement and retention efforts.

Administrators outlined next steps including refining unit‑level assessments, integrating essential 7th‑grade TEKS into the 8th‑grade math curriculum to reduce gaps created by acceleration, increasing coaching and walkthroughs, and targeted interventions for student groups such as special education and emergent bilingual populations.

The board did not take final action on accountability ratings at the meeting; district officials said full accountability and final domain results would be available after TEA releases final cut scores later in the summer.