As 2022 winds down, most students and schools, are getting ready for winter break. But very quietly, it was announced on Friday that starting in 2023, there is going to be a 'redesigned' version of the STAAR test, which is currently the only source of measuring the success, of both students and schools.
"The thing about the STAAR test is, nobody likes it" said Jean Burk, education expert with College Prep Genius, "The teachers don't like it, the parents and the kids, it's not a measurement of what the kids are learning. The STAAR test is all about money. The school gets more funding the better their scores are, and guess who pays for it? Us the taxpayers, $90 million a year."
That is money that could be used for more important things, like more teachers, and school security.
It's yet another reason why so many kids are leaving public schools, and why the system needs a massive overhaul.
"If your kids are already in government schools, which is what a public school really is, it's run by the government" Burk told KTRH, "I think it's just one more nail in the coffin for parents to pull their kids out, because they want their kids to learn."
A group of Austin activists wants Texas lawmakers to make changes, so the STAAR isn't the lone barometer, in the lone star state.
In the meantime, the new 'redesigned' version of the test, will be on-line, and will feature 25% written answers as well.
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