NES Students Saw Largest STAAR Gains in 2026. Here’s How They Did It.

This article focuses on the standardized testing growth at New Education System (NES) campuses on the latest Spring batch of state standardized tests. For an analysis on districtwide results, read our third to eighth grade and high school articles. 

While Houston ISD saw increases in State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores districtwide, New Education System (NES) students saw over three times the growth on math and reading tests. 

Between Spring 2023 and Spring 2026, non-NES campuses (also known as Earned Autonomy, or EAS, campuses) grew an average of about 4 percentage points in students meeting grade-level standards in math and reading tests. At NES campuses, that number was 15 percentage points. 

The NES model that revolutionized classrooms through evidence-based instruction is ensuring that teachers work with students and families to track every concept necessary for students to succeed within the course and beyond, district officials said. 

“We built this culture of excellence and a culture of urgency,” Dr. Fola Dimandja, principal at Williams Middle School said. “Growth and achievement are byproducts of quality, tier-one instruction.” 

How Far We’ve Come 

Initially implemented at campuses with a history of academic underperformance, the NES model provides increased funding for teacher pay and coaching, a centralized curriculum, and additional classroom support staff to help teachers deliver differentiated instruction for struggling and advanced learners alike. 

In 2023, students at NES campuses trailed non-NES campuses by an average of 25 percentage points across math and reading assessments. By 2026, NES campuses had dramatically closed those gaps and surpassed non-NES campuses in Algebra I. 

Algebra I, a high school-level course that has almost doubled the number of eighth graders enrolled, represents the most significant feat. 

The percentage of NES Algebra students meeting grade level jumped from 20% in 2023 to 63% in 2026—eight percentage points higher than non-NES Algebra students.  

Another notable gain is in eighth-grade math, which is also increasingly being taken by seventh graders. In 2023, non-NES schools held a 21 percentage point advantage over NES. By 2026, the gap was nearly eliminated by two points. 

How It’s Done 

Deady Middle School teacher Steve Toups said that his classroom is focused on mastering misconceptions from the day prior that are likely to arise the following day. 

“We don't prepare them for tests. What we do is we look at the data that we get every day,” Toups said in the spring. “The data tells me what I want to focus on over the next few days."

Curriculums across NES campuses are consistent so that every student receives instruction that reflects skills necessary for success in future grades. These skills are introduced during the lesson and tested in daily and unit quizzes to track concepts that require more practice. 

Using a “second teach” model, teachers can offer individualized instruction aided by practice tools, such as the online platform Zearn, to track progress on challenging concepts. 

Williams Middle School teacher Kimberly Bell said these online tools were the “factor that got my students over the hump,” as students took ownership of mastering these skills before they would see them again in a lesson. 

Teachers also receive feedback from administrators and other grade-level teachers on how they could best approach individual students. These collaborations happen through weekly student data reviews known as Professional Learning Communities and frequent administrator classroom observations.  

“When as a principal or as an admin team, we are able to dedicate your attention to coaching, there's no way your teachers won't grow,” Christina Aguirre-Oliva, principal at C. Martinez Elementary, said.  “There's no way the instruction won't get better.” 

More Students, More Momentum

Students who do well on STAAR tests are more likely to be recommended, and succeed, in more challenging college-level courses as they approach graduation, officials said.  

The building of these skills prepares more students to qualify for advanced coursework in high school, which can lead to college and better paying jobs. Just like in Algebra I, more HISD students are now taking—and passing—Advanced Placement exams than before. 

"It turns out when you raise expectations for both staff and kids, the teachers rise to the level of expectation. And so do the students,” Superintendent Mike Miles said.

Next year, nine campuses will be joining the NES system, giving more students access to the instructional supports that have driven this academic growth.