Texas House moves to eliminate STAAR test, change school accountability system

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill Monday that would eliminate the state's current standardized testing program and changes the system that judges a school's performance.

"Members, this bill eliminates the STAAR test," State Rep. Brad Buckley, R - Salado, said to the House floor as he laid out House Bill 4. His statement was received by cheers from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The record shows 143 lawmakers approved the bill, and just one, State Rep. Brian Harrison, R - Midlothian, voted against it.

Currently public school students take a series of standardized tests, known as STAAR, at the end of the school year to determine the student's knowledge and achievements on subjects like math, reading and science. A survey in 2016 showed a majority of respondents opposed the test.

Buckley said the STAAR test is creating high levels of anxiety and stress for students and forcing schools to use between 17 and 18 school days to prepare. He says his bill will replace one high-stakes test with three smaller tests that are spaced throughout the year.

State Rep. Diego Bernal, D - San Antonio, said the bill will remove testing from being the center of gravity in the entire school year. Teachers would be able to focus on instruction rather than getting students ready for one test. If the bill passes the higher chamber, the state will move to a norm-referenced test that will show how Texas students compare to students around the country.

The new testing and accountability system would take effect this fall, if approved by the Senate.

How does it work?

First and second grade students will not be required to take any test. Also, social studies will no longer be a required test subject. Instead, students will take a smaller test at the beginning of the year, the middle of the year, and then at the end of the year.

The tests are designed to take the student between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on what grade level the student is in and what time of year the test is taken. Also, teachers will know the results of their students' scores 24 hours after the test is taken. Currently it takes six weeks to get the results from the STAAR test.

Buckley said this quick response, coupled with the spaced out testing, will allow teachers to see how well their students are performing throughout the year. Bernal said the data will help teachers understand how to help those students grow more throughout the year.

A-F accountability system

The bill also addresses the A-F accountability system that shows how well schools are performing. Buckley described the changes laid out in his bill are not less accountability, but smarter accountability.

The STAAR test is just one of the indicators the state uses in assessing the grade level of a school. School districts have sued to stop the release of those grades the past couple of years after the Texas Education Agency updated its standards for testing.

"This bill returns so much more power to school districts, and even this body, over the changes the TEA can make to the indicators in the assessment system," Buckley explained.