To accomplish its education goals, Texas must provide exemplary educational opportunities, invest in children over systems, and accurately track the performance of students and public schools.
The “Three R’s”—reading, writing, and arithmetic—are referred to as the “tools with which a student can gain more knowledge in any subject." Without proficiency in these pillars of education, students cannot adequately interact with other subjects. For instance, social studies and science require students to read, write, and/or practice mathematics to engage with course material. Unfortunately, students in Texas are struggling to meet grade-level expectations in the Three R’s.
According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in 2022, roughly 23 percent of students in grades three through five did not meet grade level on STAAR reading language arts (RLA) assessments. Similarly, TEA reported that in 2022, around 29 percent of students in these grades did not meet grade level on STAAR Math assessments.[iii] While a quarter to one-third of students not meeting grade level is alarming, it does not paint an accurate picture. The reality is far worse.
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