This past school year elicited many challenges for schools as educational systems across the world were challenged by the shifting demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a school district, DeSoto ISD worked hard to create a continuation of learning that would span remote and virtual spaces with the intent to provide some semblance of normalcy, ensure that children were physically, emotionally and academically well and progressing despite the global crisis. As teachers and administrators worked to continue to extend high-quality learning experiences and other academic services to students in DeSoto ISD, families, including those of our students and staff, were impacted in various ways by the harsh realities of COVID-19.
As a result, while students continued to learn, many factors impeded some students’ progress and, in some cases, yielded learning loss--a regression of academic performance and development.
Read TEA’s Statement on COVID-19’s Impact on Student Performance
Given these realities, as a school community, we recognize that each student will emerge from the pandemic at a different level of academic achievement, and have, therefore, spent time designing systems to address gaps in student learning for the upcoming school year.
While no student or school system in the state of Texas will receive STAAR-based assessment scores and ratings in an official reported capacity impacting accountability, the Texas Education Agency encouraged school systems to administer the STAAR exam as a metric for determining responses to interventions for broad, systemwide address and individualized and personalized student progress.
Parents may view student’s scores via the steps outlined below:
Steps to Access Your Child’s STAAR Scores
1. Go to https://texasassessment.gov/staar/families/
2. You will see a screen like this:
3. If you have your access code, enter the code and your child’s birthdate and click “log in to student portal” to view scores.
4. If you do NOT have your access code, click on the “Find My Unique Student Access Code” link.
5. You will see this screen:
6. Enter your child’s first name only and their social security number in the SSN or S_Number field, and then their birthdate. Click the blue “Go” button.
7. Your student’s code will appear in the code field with a message saying, “Access Code Lookup Successful”. Click the blue “Go” button again to see your child’s scores.
Be sure to write down your access code for future use.
The code is good until graduation.
Scores are currently available for:
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High School EOC Scores
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Grades 5 & 8 Math
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Grades 5 & 8 Reading
Scores for the following assessment areas will be available on Monday, June 28, 2021:
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Grades 3 & 4 Math
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Grades 3 & 4 Reading
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Grades 6 & 7 Math
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Grades 6 & 7 Reading
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Grades 5 & 8 Science
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Grade 8 Social Studies
As you review your student’s STAAR scores, we encourage you to provide the above context for your child regarding how he or she may have performed based on their recent scores.
Please also note that, as a district, our scores may not appear overwhelmingly positive, there are some areas in which our students have shown growth and promise.
In conjunction with our Board goals, we understand that the road ahead for us here in DeSoto ISD will challenge us to dig more deeply and work more intently to close gaps for each and every child in DeSoto ISD with the goal of preparing them for postsecondary success.
Some of the changes parents and staff will see will deepen academic and instructional support for our students include our restructuring of campuses. DeSoto ISD spent the last several months designing elementary campuses that provide a concentrated focus on early learners, as well as a targeted focus for older elementary learners.
As a result, DeSoto ISD will offer a grade-band specific focus to address the academic and social-emotional needs of students. The existing campuses would be re-organized into PK - 2 Early Learning Centers, 3 - 5 Grade Elementary Campuses, 6 - 8 Middle Schools, and DeSoto High School which will continue service to 9-12 grade students.
Parents and families will also see more academic support staff in classrooms across the district including the placement of master teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches and co-teachers in some specialized areas like early learning and special education.
The district will also offer expanded academic and curricular support provided by a $1.4M STEM grant award from the TI Foundation, Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas to rethink STEM education in DeSoto ISD. So, for this upcoming year, we’re focused on developing STEM mindsets within our students, and we’ll be able to fund curricular support and resources to develop cross-disciplinary, student-focused, interactive learning experiences across the district.
As a school community, DeSoto ISD affirms its mission is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels en route to realizing its vision to inspire curiosity and consciousness, develop character, build courage, and nurture compassion.
As a district, DeSoto ISD is grateful for parents’ patience and agility as the district continues its pursuit of excellence.
Together, we will win for students, families and the DeSoto ISD community.