Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath fielded withering questions Wednesday morning in Austin from members of the State Board of Education (SBOE). 

The commissioner’s regular update focused on STAAR scores, which the commissioner summarized as generally disappointing compared to previous years. The commissioner pointed specifically to dips in scores on elementary math and science exams. 

ATPE has pointed out that this year’s STAAR scores are based on a new, more difficult test design as well as opaque and constantly shifting scoring metrics.  

Member Marisa Perez-Diaz (D-San Antonio) cornered Commissioner Morath over the changing STAAR cut scores. The commissioner initially denied that cut scores have been changed before acknowledging that the number of questions that must be gotten right in order to receive the same score changes from year to year. 

Several board members questioned the commissioner over additional factors that may have impacted scores, such as virtual instruction during COVID, whether the increased focus on elementary literacy detracted from math and science, and whether questions were appropriate for each grade level. 

Member Julie Pickren (R-Pearland) suggested STAAR test design, teacher training, and the ability of parents to understand and help their children with the “new math” could all be factors. 

Member Keven Ellis (R-Lufkin) asked whether the agency’s response to math scores is focused on curriculum standards or high quality instructional material (HQIM).  

Commissioner Morath responded that if a student misses chunks of math here and there, it will eventually hinder their ability to learn more advanced mathematical concepts. Addressing that could include ensuring school districts have supplemental instructional materials, additional teacher training, and alterations to the daily instructional schedule to fill in the learning gaps. 

Morath added that the problem could also be due to a historic increase in hiring uncertified teachers. It’s worth noting that Houston ISD, under the governance of the commissioner’s appointee following a state takeover, hired 830 uncertified teachers during the last school year.   

Member Aicha Davis attempted to pin the commissioner on specific approaches the agency is taking to improve scores, but the commissioner did not offer any concrete responses.  

Davis also pressed the commissioner over whether the agency adequately informed school districts before enacting a new scoring rubric that assigned “zero” scores to students’ responses on certain open-ended questions. The commissioner defended the rubric, to which Davis replied that his lack of response to her question would have earned a zero under the new rubric. 

Other members asked the commissioner to return STAAR data disaggregated by socioeconomic status as well as comparing school districts and charter schools. 

Separately this week, the board will consider whether to award charters to five organizations applying to open new charter school chains in Texas. The final vote on those charters will be held at Friday’s board meeting.