Amarillo, TX: Reading scores dropping

July 25, 2017, Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo ISD’s STAAR reading scores drop, matching statewide trend http://amarillo.com/local-news/news/2017-07-25/amarillo-isd-s-staar-reading-scores-drop-matching-statewide-trend Texas students, including some in Amarillo Independent School District, seemed to have had a tougher time passing standardized reading tests this year, according to results released by Texas Education Agency this month. While passing rates for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness — or STAAR — showed gains in math in the spring, students took steps back in reading and English compared to the year before. Amarillo ISD fell in line with the trend. Fourth- and eighth-grade students struggled the most, seeing a drop of seven percentage points on reading exams. All grades between fourth and eighth also passed reading at a lower rate compared to the past year. Only third graders bucked the trend, holding steady at 74 percent. High schoolers taking the English I test passed at a rate of 55 percent, down four points from the previous spring. ...