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Welcome to the official blog of A 2 Toques Foundation. We are dedicated to transforming lives through the synergy of education and athletics. Our mission is to provide the critical support that traditional scholarships often overlook

2026 STAAR Results: What They Tell Us About Texas Education and the Changes Ahead for Students

Every year, thousands of students across Texas take the STAAR exams, one of the most widely used tools to measure academic progress in the state’s public schools. With the release of the 2026 results, families, educators, and community leaders have a new opportunity to analyze what is working, where challenges remain, and what needs to be done to continue supporting our students’ success.

What is STAAR?

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. It is the state assessment system that Texas uses to measure student learning in core areas such as Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Students take different exams depending on their grade level. Additionally, high school students must complete assessments known as End-of-Course (EOC) exams, which include Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.

While test results never tell a student’s whole story, they do offer valuable insights to identify strengths, academic needs, and statewide trends.

An Ongoing Academic Recovery

The 2026 results show positive signs for Texas.

Generally speaking, students continue to recover from the academic impact caused by the pandemic. The improvements observed across various subjects and grade levels suggest that the efforts of schools, teachers, families, and communities are yielding results.

One of the most encouraging data points comes from the Reading and Language Arts area.

Reading results have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels across all tested grades. In eighth grade, for example, 59% of students reached the expected level in 2026, compared to 56% in 2025 and 53% in 2019.

These advancements reflect sustained improvements in reading comprehension, text analysis, and communication skills—fundamental competencies for academic and professional success.

Mathematics: The Primary Area of Opportunity

While results show progress in several areas, mathematics remains the greatest challenge for Texas students.

Algebra I, one of the most critical subjects for college and career readiness, showed significant improvement, rising from 47% of students meeting expectations in 2025 to 54% in 2026. However, the state is still below the 62% benchmark recorded in 2019.

This situation is also reflected in several elementary and middle school grades, where math results have not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

The significance of this finding cannot be understated. Math skills are essential for careers in engineering, technology, science, healthcare, finance, and many other high-demand job sectors.

High School Highlight Results

The STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) exams showed improvements across all five tested subjects.

The percentages of students who reached the expected level were:

Biology: 71%
U.S. History: 70%
English II: 60%
English I: 55%
Algebra I: 54%

The largest gains were observed in Biology and Algebra I, two key subjects for the academic preparation of high school students.

These results suggest that students are regaining ground and moving toward better preparation for higher education and the workforce.

An Historic Shift: The End of STAAR

Beyond this year’s results, Texas is preparing for a major transformation in how it assesses its students.

Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, the STAAR exam will be replaced by a new tool called the Student Success Tool (SST).

This new system aims to change the way learning is measured. Instead of relying primarily on a single test at the end of the school year, students will take shorter assessments at different points throughout the academic calendar. These assessments will also be adaptive, meaning the questions will adjust based on each student’s performance level.

Key changes include:

Assessments administered multiple times throughout the school year.
Shorter tests.
Adaptive testing tailored to the student’s level.
The elimination of the English II exam as a graduation requirement.

The goal is to provide faster, more useful data so that teachers and families can intervene early when a student needs extra support.

What Does This Mean for Families?

For parents and guardians, STAAR results should be viewed as an informational tool rather than a permanent label on a student’s capabilities.

A test can highlight areas of strength and areas that require more attention, but it does not define a person’s potential.

The most important step is to use this information to create support plans, set academic goals, and foster study habits that allow students to keep growing. Education is an ongoing process, and the best outcomes typically emerge when there is constant collaboration among students, families, schools, and community organizations.

The A2 Toques Foundation Perspective

At the A2 Toques Foundation, we believe that education is the most powerful tool to transform opportunities.

The 2026 results show significant progress, but they also remind us that gaps still exist that we must close, especially in areas like mathematics and college readiness.

Our daily work with students and families has taught us that academic success does not happen by accident. It requires guidance, access to resources, individualized support, and a community committed to the future of its youth.

As Texas prepares to transition to the new Student Success Tool system, we will continue working to ensure that more students develop the skills, confidence, and preparation needed to achieve their educational and career goals.

Because in the end, the goal is not simply to pass a test. The goal is to prepare students to succeed in college, in a career, and in life.

AI in Education: Are We Sending Students Mixed Messages?

As I follow the conversations around Microsoft’s AI Skills Fest, a question keeps coming to mind.

We seem to be sending students two very different messages.

On one hand, schools and educational institutions are increasingly concerned about students using artificial intelligence to complete assignments, write essays, or even cheat on exams. Educators are working hard to preserve academic integrity and ensure that students are genuinely learning the skills they need.

On the other hand, colleges, universities, and employers are making it clear that AI literacy is becoming an essential skill for the future workforce. Many organizations now expect students and young professionals to understand how to effectively use AI tools to solve problems, improve productivity, conduct research, and communicate more efficiently.

So which message should students follow?

Perhaps the problem is not the technology itself, but how we define its role in the learning process.

The question should no longer be whether students should use AI.

The question should be whether we are teaching them to use it responsibly, ethically, and critically.

- - - - A student who uses AI to avoid thinking is missing an opportunity to learn.
      - A student who uses AI to brainstorm ideas, improve writing, explore career options, prepare for standardized tests, analyze information, or deepen their understanding of a subject is developing a skill that will likely be expected in both higher education and the workplace.

This situation reminds me of previous technological shifts. Calculators, search engines, and computers were all met with skepticism at first. Over time, the focus shifted from restricting access to teaching people how to use these tools effectively.

Artificial intelligence may be following a similar path.

As educators, parents, nonprofit leaders, and employers, we have an opportunity to move the conversation beyond fear and toward preparation. Our responsibility is not to prepare students for the world that existed ten years ago, but for the world they are entering today.

AI is not going away.

The challenge before us is to help students develop the judgment, critical thinking, and ethical awareness needed to use these tools wisely.

Because in the future, the most successful students may not be those who avoid AI entirely, nor those who rely on it for everything.

They will be the ones who learn how to work alongside it.

What are your thoughts? How is your school, organization, or workplace approaching AI literacy

YEAR UP: When talent exists, but opportunity is missing.

In many Latino families, there is one thing that is never lacking: the drive to get ahead.
We see it every day in young people who want to study, work, and help out at home… but who often face a difficult reality: a lack of financial resources.

Because it’s not always a lack of desire.
Sometimes, there is simply no access.

And that is where programs like Year Up make all the difference.

A Real Alternative to the Traditional Path.

For years, we’ve been taught that the only path to success is going straight to college.
But what happens when that path isn’t viable right now?

Year Up was born precisely to answer that question.

It is a free program that combines practical education with real-world work experience, designed to prepare young adults for well-paying jobs in fields like technology, business, and finance.

It doesn’t replace college, but it does open a door when others seem closed.

Learning, Working… and Receiving Support.

One of Year Up’s greatest strengths is that it goes beyond theory.

The program is divided into two stages:

First 6 months: Intensive training in technical and professional skills.
Last 6 months: An internship at a top-tier company.

But there is something that makes it even more accessible for many families: students receive a financial stipend while participating.

This completely changes the landscape, as it allows a young person to prepare for their future without having to choose between studying or working.

Designed for Those Who Need It Most.

Year Up is aimed at young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 who have completed high school or their GED but are still searching for their path. It is especially for those who:

Have potential but few opportunities.
Need to start generating income.
Cannot afford college at this time.

In essence, it is a bridge.
A starting point.

More Than a Program: A Gateway

One of the biggest impacts of Year Up is what happens afterward. Many participants:

Secure employment upon finishing their internship.
Build a professional network.
Discover new academic or career goals.

It’s not just about learning skills; it’s about changing one’s trajectory.

A Conversation We Need to Have at Home

In our community, there is sometimes the idea that if a young person doesn’t go straight to college, they are “falling behind.

But the reality is different.

There are various paths to success, and programs like Year Up remind us of something important:

Education is not a single route. It’s about finding the right opportunity.

For Families: This is Also Education

Supporting a child doesn’t always mean pushing them down the same path as everyone else.

Sometimes it means listening, exploring options, and understanding that success can look different for everyone.

Year Up is not a second choice.
It is a real opportunity.

More information: https://www.yearup.org

FAFSA: Your Gateway to College Financial Aid

For many families, paying for college can seem impossible. However, there is a key tool that opens real opportunities: FAFSA. If you have a child in high school or you are a student thinking about college, this is for you.

What does FAFSA stand for?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

One very important detail: it is completely free. No one should ever charge you to fill it out.

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA is a federal government form in the United States that allows students to apply for financial aid to pay for college or technical school.

Through this form, the government analyzes a family’s financial situation to determine how much aid the student is eligible to receive.

Who is it for?

FAFSA is designed for:

High school seniors.
Current college students.
Individuals looking to start or return to their studies.

👉 In general, it applies to U.S. citizens and certain eligible non-citizens.

Who needs to fill it out?

The student does not fill out the FAFSA alone. It must be completed with information from:

The student.
Their parent, mother, or legal guardian (if the student is a dependent).

This is crucial because aid is largely based on family income.

What opportunities does it offer?

Completing the FAFSA can open the door to:

💰 Pell Grants: Money that does NOT have to be paid back.
💰 State Aid: Depending on your state of residence.
💰 Institutional Aid: Provided directly by universities.
💰 Federal Student Loans: Often with better terms and conditions.
💰 Work-Study: Part-time jobs available on campus.

Even if you think you won’t qualify, you should always fill it out. Many universities use it to award their own additional aid.

When should you fill it out?

The FAFSA opens every year, usually in: 📅 Fall (October)

However, there have been recent changes to these dates, so it is important to stay alert. Key recommendation: Fill it out as soon as possible, as much of the aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

What if I don’t qualify for FAFSA?

This is a reality for many families, especially those whose immigration status does not allow them to access FAFSA. But that DOES NOT mean there are no options

Alternatives to FAFSA (Very Important)

Many states have created their own financial aid options for students who do not qualify for federal aid.

Example in Texas: TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)

Aimed at students living in Texas who do not qualify for FAFSA.
Provides access to state aid and some university scholarships.
Submitted directly to the university.

Other states with similar alternatives:

California: California Dream Act Application
New York: NYS DREAM Act
New Jersey: NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application
Illinois: Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Virginia: VASA

Each state has its own requirements, but the goal is the same: to ensure more students can access higher education, regardless of their status.

Final Message

FAFSA is more than just a form; it is a tool that can change a family’s future. Many students miss out on college not because they lack ability, but because they believe they can’t afford it.

The reality is different: there is money available, but you have to apply for it. If you are a student or a parent, this is one of your most important first steps.