What Changed in the Texas STAAR Algebra I Passing Score
You may have seen posts claiming that Texas "lowered the STAAR Algebra I passing bar from 40 % right answers in 2022 to only 28 % in 2023-24."
That dramatic drop did not happen in Algebra I. It came from a different exam (U.S. History) and was mistakenly repeated online.
Understanding what really changed—and what the four STAAR performance levels mean—will help you read your child's score report with confidence.
The real change: scale scores, not a 40 → 28 % slide
| School year (first-time testers) | Scale score needed for "Approaches Grade Level" | Rough % correct on that year's form* |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 and earlier | 3541 | about 38 % |
| 2023-24 and beyond | 3550 | about 37 % |
*Percent correct changes slightly each year because every test form has different questions. Texas sets standards with scale scores (the 3541/3550 numbers) so the bar stays consistent, even when forms vary in difficulty.
Bottom line: the Algebra I bar inched up by 9 scale-score points. It did not plunge downward.
What each performance level really means
| Level on your child's report | What TEA says it means for next-course success | Extra help needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | Very likely to succeed with little or no help | Rarely |
| Meets | High likelihood of success; may need short-term support | Sometimes |
| Approaches (often called "passing") | Likely to succeed if given targeted academic intervention | Yes |
| Did Not Meet | Unlikely to succeed without significant, ongoing help | Absolutely |
Many headlines lump "Approaches," "Meets," and "Masters" together as a single pass rate, but "Approaches" does not equal on-grade-level mastery. It signals that more instruction is still recommended.
Why comparing last year's scores to this year's is tricky
-
Small standard shifts blur trends
Even a 9-point tweak changes who falls above or below the cut line, so a higher or lower pass rate may reflect the new bar—not better or worse learning. -
STAAR was redesigned in 2023
New online-first format and question types mean the 2022 and 2023 tests weren't identical yardsticks. -
Accountability delays created noise
Legal challenges postponed 2023 A–F ratings, adding confusion about what scores really meant for campuses.
How this impacts what you hear
- School press releases may celebrate a higher "pass rate." Ask whether they're reporting only "Approaches Grade Level" or also the stronger "Meets" and "Masters" rates.
- Social-media graphics often grab the most eye-catching number (like "28 % correct") without checking the official conversion tables.
- Report-card day can feel contradictory: your child "passed," yet teachers recommend tutoring. Remember—the "Approaches" label already assumes extra help is beneficial.
What parents can do
- Look beyond "pass/fail." On the STAAR Student Report Card, find the exact level (Approaches, Meets, or Masters) and the progress measure arrow.
- Ask specific questions.
- "My child scored at Approaches. What targeted intervention will the school provide?"
- "How close were they to Meets? What skills were weak?"
- Track growth, not just levels. Year-to-year progress scores (available in Reading and Math) show whether your child is catching up, even if the cut scores move.
- Use multiple data points. Classroom grades, unit tests, projects, and teacher feedback fill gaps a single test can't cover.
- Stay alert for future changes. TEA has said it will keep the 2023 standards for about five years, but assessment policies can shift. Each spring, TEA publishes new Raw-Score-to-Scale-Score tables—checking them is the surest way to know the current bar.
Key takeaways
- Algebra I's "Approaches" cut score rose slightly (3541 ➜ 3550). The viral 40 % → 28 % claim doesn't apply here.
- "Approaches" is technically a pass, but it still signals your child needs targeted help.
- Because standards and tests change, one year's pass rate can't be compared straight across to another's without digging into the details.
- The most helpful action is to partner with your child's teacher to translate the score into concrete next steps: tutoring, practice problems, or enrichment.
Armed with clear definitions and the real numbers, you can steer past the noise and focus on what matters most—making sure your child gets the support they need to thrive in math and beyond.
Professional Analysis: Implications for Education Policy
Accountability Turbulence
- The standard shift landed amid delayed 2023 A–F ratings and litigation over accountability formulas, reinforcing public skepticism.
Forward-Looking View
Stable standards aid longitudinal insight, but validity trumps stability.
Expect periodic recalibration as:
- Online testing yields richer item analytics.
- Algebra I TEKS evolve with the rise of data-science strands.
- Lawmakers press for assessments that better mirror college-and-career readiness.
Anticipating, not resisting, these shifts will position schools to pivot from "Did we pass?" to "How do we accelerate learning for every student?"