PROBLEMS:
Ready. Houston A+ Challenge, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
2012:
According to the TEA, the passing rate for ninth-graders taking biology was just 41 percent. For Algebra the rate was 39 percent, compared to 34 percent writing, 46 percent for reading and 40 percent for world geography.
Wiggins, Mark, and Scott McKenney. "STAAR Test Results Draw Criticism from
Parents, Educators." KVUE. KVUE Television, Inc., A Gannett Company, 2014.
Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
"Ten to 15 percent of our students have some sort of learning disability and this kind of standardized testing doesn't suit them very well."
~ Laura Creedle (Parent)
Wiggins, Mark, and Scott McKenney. "STAAR Test Results Draw Criticism from Parents, Educators." KVUE. KVUE Television, Inc., A Gannett Company, 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
The immediate response toward the more difficult assessment of student learning has been largely negative:
“It’s too hard.”
“It’s unfair to hold schools and teachers accountable in this manner.”
“My students/kids were unprepared, it’s the [insert lower grade level's] fault.”
~Rivard Report
"Teach Our Students to Be Stars, Not Simply to Pass the STAAR." Rivard Report. Rivard Report, 1 May 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
STAAR Test Results
Preliminary results for the 2012 STAAR tests show that AISD (Austin Independent School District) students passed at rates close to the state averages. However, because the Texas Education Agency is phasing in the test, passing grades will be significantly higher by the 2016 school year. Under those metrics ("full standards"), passing rates would drop dramatically.
|
Passing Rates |
State Avg. |
AISD Avg. |
Under Full Standards |
|
Biology |
87% |
84% |
41% |
|
Algebra I |
83% |
84% |
39% |
|
World Geography |
81% |
79% |
40% |
|
English I: Reading |
68% |
69% |
46% |
|
English I: Writing |
55% |
54% |
34% |
Problems:
Failure on a STAAR test can keep a student from graduating!
Students must pass all EOCs, which can be up to fifteen! Along with course and curriculum work, students have to worry about EOCs as well!
STAAR counts for 15% of the student's final grade!
Students not only have to worry about homework, class assignments, but also how the STAAR test will count for 15 percent of their final average! This could impact a student's class average and class rank tremendously!
Tests are written in a language that is beyond the grade level!
According to savetxschools.org, the STAAR and EOC tests are written in a language that is three levels higher than the grade which is being tested!
STAAR is a timed test!
Along with the stress, students have to worry about being able to beat the clock!
"Top Ten Problems with the STAAR Test." Save Texas Schools. Save Texas Schools,
2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2014.
Dorsey, Tim. "Texas Education Report Card F-." Free Press Houston. FPH, 2014.
Web. 13 Feb. 2014."Because the level of rigor that this new test requires, requires more work and preparation than me getting test items in October for me to share with 4,000 teachers."
~ Wanda Bamberg (Aldine ISD Superintendent)
Wiggins, Mark, and Scott McKenney. "STAAR Test Results Draw Criticism from Parents, Educators." KVUE. KVUE Television, Inc., A Gannett Company, 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
