State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) has filed legislation to repeal the STAAR test by eliminating the requirement to use the test as a criterion for promotion or graduation.
House Bill 736 seeks to eliminate current testing systems, like the STAAR test, from being used as high-stakes, or a one-size-fits-all substitute for real accountability measures.
"The state's attempt to ensure academic readiness and hold school districts accountable for student achievement through standardized state-wide testing has failed," Landgraf said.
Landgraf said the state-wide assessment places too great of a burden on our students and teachers. Teachers are forced to “teach to the test” so that students can achieve scores that meet the minimum level of satisfaction.
He said it takes away the opportunity for teachers to come up with creative ways for students to learn and limits the amount of time and attention teachers can pay to specific students.
"In my view, we should value teaching over testing,” Landgraf said. “This bill will allow us to get back to the basics of education so that Texas students are prepared for college, the workforce or the military when they graduate.”
The 86th Texas legislative session is underway and will run through May 27.
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