Anahuac schools prepare for STAAR

ANAHUAC— As the STAAR exam date approaches, Anahuac Independent School District is preparing its students, hoping for increased test scores. 

The AISD Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, discussing updates on the schools, primarily testing scores. 

Anahuac Elementary School is making progress in increasing the success rate in test scores. Third and fourth grade have improved in math and reading, but fifth grade scores have dropped slightly in science. 

Although testing has improved, scores are still below the state average. Science and social studies were not prioritized previously, so the school has compartmentalized and specialized classrooms. 

Teachers were moved around regarding what they teach to support strengths and weaknesses better, so no subject matter is pushed out of the spotlight. 

AES is partnering with Region 5 Education Service Center to plan and create STAAR review, specifically with reading teachers. This partnership is expected to improve test scores for the standardized exam. 

Additionally, the accelerated reader program was introduced at the school to aid in reading test scores. 

Anahuac Middle School is in a similar boat as AES regarding test scores. Looking at last year’s scores, AMS Principal Lynna Stephenson noted scores are down, except in algebra. 

“It’s disheartening and it’s scary,” Stephenson said. “We’re gonna keep trucking along and seeing what we can do.” 

AMS will also be working with Region 5 to increase test scores for the STAAR test. 

Anahuac High School is doing a bit better with their EOC and STAAR test scores. English two, algebra one and U.S. history scores improved. Biology remained the same, but scores are above state level in the subject. 

As for ACT and SAT scores, AHS had 75% of students take those tests. The school has a 0% dropout rate, and 93.7% of students showed readiness for the workforce, college, or military, which increased from last year. The state average is 76% in that regard. 

50% of students completed dual-enrollment credits, which is above both the state and region averages. 

AISD Interim Superintendent Cody Abshier, Ed.D., commended teachers for their continued efforts in improving students’ education. 

“We don’t have any magic in our pocket, but we do want to do better,” Abshier said. “We do want to achieve higher performance.” 

At the beginning of the meeting, Anahuac Mayor Charles Hightower spoke on behalf of Anahuac residents to honor the AISD Board of Trustees. 

“I do hereby declare my appreciation to the members of the AISD Board of Education and I urge all community members to join me in recognizing the dedication, hard work and sacrifice of all seven of these honorable AISD School Trustees,” Hightower said. 

Also honored at the meeting were emergent bilingual teachers Diane White, Michelle Bond and Elbia Delacruz. Anahuac Middle School students Abigail Kelley, AMS Scholar, and Kevin Angles, AMS Character, received certificates for their academic efforts. 

Regarding the upcoming May trustee election, no opposing candidates signed up, so the election was officially canceled at the meeting.