STAAR performance standards relate levels of test performance to the expectations defined in the state-mandated curriculum standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  Cut scores established by the agency distinguish between performance levels, or categories.  The process of establishing cut scores that define performance levels for an assessment is standard setting. Standard setting is also used to classify students into an appropriate performance category.

For STAAR, the labels for the performance categories are

• Masters Grade Level
• Meets Grade Level
• Approaches Grade Level
• Did Not Meet Grade Level

3rd Grade

Reading 
Approaches: 98%     Meets:  83%      Mastered: 63%  

Math
Approaches: 100%   Meets: 78%      Mastered: 44%

4th Grade

Reading 
Approaches:  92%     Meets: 66%     Mastered: 39%

Math
Approaches:  97%     Meets: 74%     Mastered: 50%

Writing
Approaches: 79%      Meets: 42%     Mastered: 5% 

5th Grade

Reading 
Approaches:  96%     Meets:  62%     Mastered: 45%  

Math
Approaches: 100%    Meets:  83%     Mastered:  43% 

Science
Approaches: 78%      Meets:  53%     Mastered:  24%