TEA: Low STAAR tests prove student learning lagged during pandemic FILE and last updated 2021-06-28 19:18:07-04 The Texas Education Agency released Spring 2021 results for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests for grades 3-12 in various subjects. Based on test results, the TEA found that âas a result of the learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students not meeting grade level increased from 2019 across all subject areas and grade levels.â English I and English II were the only exceptions to the overall decline in comprehension, and the agency said Math saw the largest decline in proficiency across all grade levels.