Dear Editor: It would be hard to find a parent, teacher or student who doesn’t think the STAAR test is awful. Texas goes far above what is required by federal law.
In 2015, the federal Every Student Succeeds Act replaced No Child Left Behind.
It requires all students be tested in reading, math and science, but leaves it up to the states how to accomplish this. We can take charge of testing by voting for change on November 8.
In 2015, Governor Abbott signed a law that students must pass STAAR tests in five subjects in order to graduate.
Thankfully this has been modified somewhat, but still puts undue stress on everyone.
Texas spends 90 million annually on one contract with Pearson Education of New York to write and administer the tests. This is just one example of the outrageous amount of money we are spending.
STAAR testing doesn’t officially start until 3rd grade, but the pressure to perform on tests starts in kindergarten. Students are being pushed to perform far beyond what is educationally appropriate for very young children. This punishes students, parents and teachers. It certainly takes the joy out of the first years of school.
In 1975, 22% of students majored in education. In 2015, that number had fallen to just 7%. Texas teachers are leaving the field in record numbers and not being replaced. Last year I was offered a job teaching three 7th grade English classes in DeLeon.
When I visited with the principal, I learned that I would be required to test the students on the first day of school. I decided that was not something I wanted to do.
Vouchers are another threat to our schools and Governor Abbott is again pushing for them.
Vouchers take tax dollars from public schools and give them to parents for private school tuition. This is a terrible idea, especially for rural areas, and will further erode the quality of our public schools.
We have the power to improve our public schools by being informed voters. Let’s use it so we can stop complaining about all the stressful, high-stakes tests, and actually do something about it.
Vivian Menzel Retired teacher Desdemona