It’s apparent that in the next coming school year, Texas public schools will be receiving a dramatic adjustments based on the $4 billion dollar budget cut imposed on school districts. However, in midst of all this change, something more dramatic has taken place in the upcoming semester. There is a new standardized test known as the STAAR, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. Unlike its predecessor, the TAKS, each student will have to achieve a passing average in each subject area of the STAAR as well as pass their classes. Also, students will have to do better on more difficult exams and take more of them. Under the TAKS, the test scores were not accumulated with the final grades of students. Interestingly, the STAAR will be part of the 15% of student’s final grades.
This article by Morgan Smith demonstrates the rigor and expectations that legislatures demand when they passed the passage of House Bill 3. Yet, how are the already short-handed individuals that work for the school districts supposed to help this critical transitional period in Texas education? I took the TAKS test during high school years. In my opinion, the system is too easy and predictable. The STAAR is taking a step in the right direction for the future Texan scholars. However, it does seem like the motive is being pushed at the wrong time. There is no proper support for this lucrative and potential ‘homerun plan’ because the support lies in budget. Timing is everything. In this instance, the time is not now.
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