At the Capitol: Public Education

At the Capitol: Public Education

By Patrick Brendel Friday, 03 July 2009

Addressing subjects such as standardized testing and “college readiness” levels, Texas lawmakers revamped the state’s accountability system for students and public schools during the legislative session that ended June 1. They also used federal stimulus money to increase funding for public schools by 3 percent.

TAKS tests

Third-graders will no longer be required to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in order to be promoted to the fourth grade, but schools will still be held accountable for poor TAKS scores by third-graders. Students in grades five and eight will have the same promotion requirements.

Elective courses

Legislators altered the Texas High School Recommended Program for graduation, now allowing for six elective courses. The new plan, totaling 26 credits, consists of: four credits in each of the four core subjects areas (math, science, English and social studies); two credits in the same foreign language; one credit in physical education; one fine arts credit; and six electives selected by students and their parents. The previous plan called for 24 credits, with only two in electives.

End-of-course exams

Beginning with the ninth-grade class entering high school in fall 2011, TAKS will be replaced by 12 end-of-course exams (in math, science, English and social studies) that students must pass in order to graduate from high school.

The state will begin incorporating “college readiness” levels (standards in the four core subjects) when assessing the performance of school districts and campuses. High schools will be required to increase the number of students showing college-level skills in the end-of-course exams. Students who achieve the college readiness standard on the English III and Algebra II exams will automatically qualify for graduation.

More flexibility to meet standards

Schools will have more flexibility in meeting accountability standards. The state will now take student growth into account when measuring a school’s performance. School districts will be allowed to meet state standards using either its most recent test scores or with a three-year-rolling average of past scores. Legislation also gives districts some leeway on meeting accountability indicators in case of an atypically poor performance.

Repurposed schools

Lawmakers altered rules governing state interventions and sanctions of public schools. Campuses now have an additional year after reconstitution to meet accreditation standards. A campus now has the option of being repurposed instead of being closed. The state education commissioner can delay alternative management, repurposing and closure of a school by one year if he determines the campus is making significant progress toward accreditation. The commissioner is now prohibited from requiring the name of a campus to be changed.

School funding

Legislators also passed a budget that increased spending on public education by $1.9 billion and included teacher pay raises, but President Barack Obama’s administration has since raised questions about how states can use federal stimulus funds for education. Budget writers — including state Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan — replaced state spending on education with $3.2 billion in stimulus money, freeing up those state funds for other aspects of the budget.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan warned that federal funds could be withheld from the State of Pennsylvania, which used education stimulus funds in a manner similar to Texas. However, Texas lawmakers argue that their use of federal funds is appropriate because they increased overall spending on education.

Unless the federal government disapproves of Texas’ plan, pay raises of at least $800 will be given to public school teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses and speech pathologists. If federal authorities do not endorse Texas’ use of the stimulus funds, then the topic will likely be addressed during a special session called by the governor.

Minimum grades

State lawmakers also passed legislation that allows schools to use electronic textbooks instead of paper books. Classrooms will have at least one set of paper or electronic textbooks in each subject. Legislators also banned schools from requiring teachers to give out “minimum” grades, such as a 50, 60 or 70.