House committee to examine STAAR implementation

On Monday, Jan. 23, the Texas House Public Education Committee will hold its first meeting since the tumultuous regular and special legislative sessions of 2011. The focus will be on the new STAAR exam and other aspects of the state’s revised accountability system, including an examination of how districts plan to implement the requirement that EOC scores count for 15 percent of a course grade.

The hearing notice provides that the committee will “Monitor state and local implementation of the new state assessment system (STAAR), specifically the impact on students, instruction, teachers, and graduation or promotion rates.  Review how districts are implementing the requirement that the end-of-course assessment count for 15 percent of the student's course grade.  Recommend any changes to graduation or testing requirements that promote instructional rigor and support postsecondary readiness while appropriately limiting an over reliance on standardized testing.”

The 15 percent issue has stumped school districts for many months as implementation of the new accountability system has progressed. A new Texas Tribune article explains the complexity, noting that some local approaches are drawing controversy and quoting committee chair Rob Eissler: “So here we are thinking that end-of-course exams are going to help keep everyone focused moving in the same direction, and it hasn’t seemed to be working out that way.” Advocates for stricter accountability measures are also expressing concern, even suggesting that districts may try to “game” the system, while the Texas Education Agency maintains that it is not authorized to provide clearer guidance.

TCTA will report on the January hearing in a future eUpdate and on the TCTA website.