#United States #Houston #Aldine ISD #Coursemojo #STAAR Assessment

Aldine ISD Middle Schools Demonstrate Strong Reading Growth

In a commendable achievement, six middle schools in the Aldine Independent School District (ISD) showcased significant improvements in their reading abilities, as evidenced by the results of the 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). This successful boost in literacy comes during a time when many Texas schools reported stable reading performances.

Over the last academic year, Aldine ISD was an early adopter of integrating high-quality instructional materials into its curriculum. The district took additional steps by partnering with Coursemojo, an AI-driven literacy platform. This collaboration has actively supported teachers in effectively implementing core curriculum while fostering deeper engagement among students with more complex texts.

Across the six participating schools utilizing the Coursemojo platform, students achieved an average increase of 4.7 percentage points at the Approaches Grade Level standard, 3.7 percentage points at the Meets Grade Level, and 2.6 percentage points at the Masters Grade Level. Perhaps more importantly, gains were observed in STAAR scale scores across all grades, demonstrating academic growth that transcended typical performance thresholds.

When comparing the outcomes of Aldine's six middle schools using Coursemojo to the nine that did not, the differences are striking. The Coursemojo schools displayed superior performance improvements at each of the three STAAR achievement levels. Specifically, at the Approaches Grade Level standard, these campuses outperformed their counterparts by 4.3 percentage points. Notably, they excelled by 1.9 percentage points at the Meets Grade Level and by 2.9 percentage points at the Masters Grade Level.

Dr. Faviola Cantú, Aldine ISD's Chief Academic Officer, emphasized the significance of a holistic approach to improving literacy outcomes. She stated, "Improving literacy outcomes requires a comprehensive approach built on excellent teaching, high-quality instructional materials and meaningful support for both students and teachers." Dr. Cantú expressed her optimism for the continued progress being made in literacy education throughout the district.

The partnership with Coursemojo is indicative of a broader trend among educational institutions that are exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance instruction in classrooms. By establishing an outcomes-based agreement with measurable student growth linked to the district’s literacy strategy, Aldine ISD has positioned itself at the forefront of educational innovation.

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 at Coursemojo schools also achieved stronger gains in STAAR scale scores at every grade level compared to those attending schools without the program. This progress is particularly evident at campuses that received targeted academic support through ongoing literacy improvement efforts.

Dacia Toll, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Coursemojo, praised the collaboration with Aldine ISD, highlighting the dedication of the district's educators who have invested in high-quality instructional materials and support for teachers. She added, "Coursemojo can help reinforce that work by making it easier for teachers to engage all students in rigorous reading and writing every day."

Looking forward to the 2026-27 school year, Aldine ISD plans to extend Coursemojo's support to all middle schools and maintain its focus on enhancing literacy instruction and teacher support programs. This commitment underscores the district's goal of ensuring that every student is equipped for success.

About Aldine ISD

Aldine Independent School District serves students in the northern Houston area. The district is dedicated to providing choices and opportunities for students to prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.

About Coursemojo

Coursemojo specializes in AI-powered literacy support directly integrated into Tier 1 curriculum materials. It assists teachers in delivering rigorous and differentiated literacy instruction, enhancing student learning experiences while providing real-time data for educators. With recognition for its impact on student literacy outcomes, Coursemojo serves over 75 districts nationwide.