Parents prep for fight at Capitol against high-stakes testing

Comments

• Additional considerations

  Consider this: If a straight-A student does pass all STAAR tests, and also completes special projects and measurables to pursue the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) for HS graduation, but doesn't score at the highest level (Level III) on the Algebra II AND English III (Reading AND Writing) STAAR tests, he/she will not be allowed to graduate under the DAP. How's that for demoralizing and demotivating our brightest students? I don't think the TEA should be able to dictate a student's graduation plan by hinging their eligibilty on a single STAAR score, without any consideration of their other academic accomplishments.

  Posted by Parent July 07, 2012 12:30:01

• Testing Tradeoffs

  ...cut taxes, cut spending, cut teachers, cut materials, implement automation & standardization, eliminate moral, increase stress? Why? So we can continue to face shortages of skilled laborers and tech workers forcing the recruitment of workers from other states? Yeah, that's the way! Our kids need magnet schools and the satisfaction of controlling their own destinies early!
  
  "Texas employers face skilled labor shortages"
  http://impactnews.com/articles/texas-employers-face-skilled-labor-shortages
  
  "City working to close technology talent gap"
  http://impactnews.com/articles/city-working-to-close-technology-talent-gap

  Posted by Kart June 26, 2012 13:11:53

• high-stakes testing

  Our children are being robbed of a meaningful education due to chronic testing, test prep and data-driven instruction. Due to the new STAAR Science test administered in 5th grade, many elementary students no longer receive instruction in Social Studies. No history, geography, political science or current events. Forget about reading great literature; most of our children are reading mundane reading passages produced by Pearson and answering idotic, multiple-choice questions. The emphasis is on obedience and compliance (for teachers also) and very little emphasis is placed on thinking, questioning, analyzing, comparing and creating.

  Posted by Texas Parents Opt Out of State Tests June 25, 2012 16:00:58

• Agree

  I have a problem with putting IPADS in kindergarten classroms and putting kids on computers for fluency and AR reading everyday- What happen to reading and doing a book report etc.... There is too much computer and less teaching going on- I even heard of kids playing on the Wii at school- I have no problem with use of technology but basic concepts like reading and writing are being missed. There is to much use of computers and IPADS- which research has shown that IPAD use on little kids is bad for their brain development-My kids are grouchy and exhausted being forced to cram for these tests each spring- There has to be a better way

  Posted by Kelly Mann June 24, 2012 11:32:31

• Texans Advocating Meaningful Student Assessments

  Why do you think that the Tests reflect such poor result. Because the teachers are ill prepared to TEACH. The kids fail English and Reading because they are not taught to read. WHY? because of bi-lingual education and proper grammer is being neglected. To much emphasis on the use of the computer. Kids no longer read such great literature as Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allan Poe, etc., novels. We're preparing robots for the workforce. Creative Thinking is nothing more than do your own thing - the results - kids that must take remedial courses upon entering college before they can even focus on their degree program.

  Posted by HLNaizer June 22, 2012 16:44:34