Whittling Away at the STAAR Empire

The pendulum continues to swing.  We got crazy about testing kids.  Now we are getting a little less crazy. Every two years the legislature whittles away a bit at the STAAR Empire, largely due to concerns expressed by educators and parents.  This year it was HB 3906.  Here’s a summary of the changes it made in our accountability system.  We’ll take it section by section in the lengthy bill.

Section One: “It is the policy of this state that the statewide assessment program be designed to: (1) provide assessment instruments that are as short as practicable; and (2) minimize the disruption to the educational program.”  Anybody opposed to that?  Didn’t think so.

Section Two: As of the 2021-22 school year, no more writing STAAR.  The math test will be given in grades 3-8.

Section Three:  SBOE will determine what portions of the math test may be completed with the use of technology, and which must be done without technology.

Assessment instruments must have no more than three parts.   Parts of an assessment for grades 3-4 must be designed so that 85% of students can complete it in 60 minutes. For grades 5-8, 85% must be able to complete the part in 75 minutes.  Total amount of time cannot exceed eight hours, and can be administered in multiple parts over more than one day.  These time limits do not apply if the time restriction would violate federal law or make the test not valid and reliable.  Nor do they apply to a “classroom portfolio method used to assess writing performance.”

Assessment instruments “may not be administered to a kindergarten student except for the purpose of determining whether the student is entitled to the benefit of the Foundation School Program.” 

The EOC for Algebra I may include one or more parts that prohibit the use of technology.  EOCs may be administered in multiple parts over more than one day.

Other than classroom portfolio assessments, the assessments may not be administered on the first instructional day of the week.  Monday Monday…..can’t trust that day.

Beginning with 2022-23, assessment instruments for STAAR and EOC must not have more than 75% multiple choice questions.

TEA will develop “optional interim assessment instruments” for each subject or course for each grade level subject to assessment.  These instruments 1) must be predictive; 2) must be administered electronically; 3) are not mandatory; and 4) may not be used for accountability purposes.

Section Four: Establishes two new committees appointed by the Commissioner—a “technical advisory committee” and “an educator advisory committee.”

Section Five: Assessment instruments must be capable of being administered electronically. 

Section Six:  Requires a transition plan to prepare for administration of all assessment instruments electronically by 2022-23.

Establishes a pilot program for participating districts to administer an “integrated formative assessment” instrument for a grade level subject to assessment.

Any assessment instrument administered to Pre-K students “may not be considered for any purpose under this chapter or Chapter 39A.”  Good!

Section Seven: Students enrolled in a course that requires a graphing calculator may use an app that provides the same functionality, unless the district makes a graphing calculator available to the student at no cost.

Sections Eight and Nine: TEA can spend no more than $35 million annually from the Foundation School Program to implement a provision of this Act, and the Agency is required to implement provisions of this Act only if money is appropriated for it. 

That’s a lot to absorb.   Look for guidance from TEA on all of this.

DAWG BONE:  WE LOVE STAAR, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS WE USED TO.

Tomorrow: Toolbox Tuesday!!