TEA to institute new STAAR test in 2010

The announcement last week by Commissioner of Education Robert Scott of a new assessment of academic skills has been met with a variety of comments from Cherokee County school administrators. All expressed their confidence that their students will rise up and meet the challenges of the new testing.

Dr. Jim Largent, Rusk ISD superintendent said Friday, “The commissioner announced this week that we have a new test called STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness). We have had TABS, TEAMS, TAAS, TAKS, and now STAAR. Each time, Texas schools show that we can achieve at high levels, and when we do, the bar is raised even higher. With the introduction of the new test, we will move to end of course tests at the high school, and a more comprehensive test at our lower grades.

“Also, campuses will be rated Acceptable or Not Acceptable. There will be some other recognition for campuses based on achievement in certain areas, but no specifics have been developed yet. I know that our staff will tackle the challenge once again, and show that our students can perform at a high level as compared to schools around our state.

“Personally, I do not believe in the state’s continuing reliance on one test, given on one day out of 180, to tell us what our students are learning in a particular subject area. I am all for accountability, but I think, for instance, putting pressure on a third grader to pass a onetime test, or face repeating third grade, is a little too much stress to place on an eight year old. But, those are the current rules of the game and we will continue to work as hard as we can to make all our students successful.”

Judy Terry, assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum for Jacksonville ISD said, “The transition to the new and more rigorous STAAR assessment test means there will be higher expectations for our students, but we are confident that with the support of parents and community, our students and teachers will rise to meet the challenge.”

Alto Superintendent Dr. Ray DeSpain said, “I have never been a fan of standardized testing. I feel this puts too much pressure on students and teacher alike.

“I am confident that Alto ISD along with all other school districts in the state do their very best to provide a well rounded education for all of our students. I feel that a once a year evaluation does not truly or accurately measure student performance. Most administrators would agree that the appraisal process i.e. sub groups and sub population counting as much as the overall student population brings down the overall district appraisal.”

Dale Morton, superintendent at Wells ISD said, “I received this week’s news of changing state standardized tests with mixed emotions. STAAR will replace the TAKS beginning in 2011-12. The complaints of parents about the TAKS test have been heard – at least in part.

“Now, TAKS is out. However, I do not believe that parents will see a great change in their own or their children and teachers’ frustration level. Historically, each time the test has been changed most students reached a new plateau of success.

“Based on the past, I expect the new tests to be more rigorous and to result in more students being initially unsuccessful. I anticipate more complaints that we are teaching to the test.

“I also believe parents and teachers will become more frustrated that we must increasingly focus on test preparation and administration rather than on academic education. The harder the test the more time must be spent on preparation for the test.

Students are learning more by eighth grade than their parents achieved in 12. We celebrate the higher achievement of our most scholastically gifted students at the same time we regret the state’s tendency to ignore the needs of all students – to be exclusive of those whose career goals depend upon the pre-vocational hand-eye coordination and dexterity skills and careertech training and leadership skills that were once nourished in Texas high schools.

“I summarize my thoughts with the great old refrain, “When all is said and done, more is said than done.” The new testing system will be followed by a new accountability system.

“Even as we implement the new testing system, may we suggest that the next accountability system should evaluate and nurture students in their preparation for whichever path awaits them after high school.”