Texas schools help build well-rounded young people who will lead Texas and fuel our future workforce. But the test-centric system we use to grade our public schools is anything but well-rounded.
In the course of a 180-day school year, Texas public schools do so much more than administer standardized tests. Yet, we continue to rely on one very narrow measure of school performance to define a “good school”: The STAAR test.
Let’s expand our definition of a “good school” beyond STAAR test scores and consider the many ways our schools shape young Texans all year long from college and workforce preparedness to teacher quality to parent engagement.
Today, elementary and middle schools are being graded 100% on STAAR test performance. STAAR scores are also the primary factor for high school ratings.
Standardized testing should be one of many assessment tools to inform instruction and monitor student progress, but a single multiple-choice test should not be the only factor in determining how our students and schools are performing
A single letter grade (A-F) captured on a single day puts tremendous pressure on students and teachers, and leaves way too much on the table.
Texas students, teachers and families deserve a more well-rounded approach to school ratings that captures a fuller picture of all the exciting things happening in Texas schools.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KIDS
“MY CHILD IS NOT A NUMBER. MY SCHOOL IS NOT A LETTER. THE STAAR IS NOT ENOUGH TO MEASURE MY CHILD OR MY SCHOOL.”
― TEXAS PARENT
In our Texas Voices conversations, more than 15,600 Texans told us what they think about standardized testing and school accountability.
83% of Texans
polled think public schools should not be graded entirely on STAAR performance*
81% of Texans
polled cite undue pressure placed on students to perform well on standardized assessments as a significant barrier to teaching*
69% of Texans
polled do not believe STAAR effectively measures how well students are learning*
*Sourced from Measure What Matters Report
“MEASURE HOW THEY APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE, NOT HOW THEY MEMORIZE IT.”
― TEXAS PARENT
Explore Measure What Matters Resources
A Report from the Measure What Matters Assessment & Accountability Council
Our Policy Priorities: Assessment & Accountability
Texas Voices
STAAR Test Is Only Part of What Happens In Our Schools
Read Texas Monthly, "How Texas STARR Test Took Over Public School Culture"
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