INSIDER
Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this year
Read full article: Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this yearRevising the social studies curriculum could be among the divisive issues the Texas State Board of Education tackles next year.
Klein ISD student accused of orchestrating cyber attack that disrupted STAAR testing charged with 3rd-degree felony
Read full article: Klein ISD student accused of orchestrating cyber attack that disrupted STAAR testing charged with 3rd-degree felonyThe 18-year-old is now charged with a third-degree felony.
Texas student uses school’s computer for cyberattack, disrupting district testing for 24,000
Read full article: Texas student uses school’s computer for cyberattack, disrupting district testing for 24,000A 18-year-old student at Klein Forest High School is currently wanted by police after they say he was responsible for cyber attacks which disrupted the district’s STAAR testing.
Klein ISD student accused of orchestrating cyber attack that disrupted STAAR testing
Read full article: Klein ISD student accused of orchestrating cyber attack that disrupted STAAR testingA 18-year-old student at Klein Forest High School is currently wanted by police after they say he was responsible for cyber attacks which disrupted the district’s STAAR testing.
Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests
Read full article: Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR testsThe state will save more than $15 million by using technology similar to ChatGPT to give initial scores, reducing the number of human graders needed. The decision caught some educators by surprise.
Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.
Read full article: Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.Policy experts worry students will fall short of the state's future workforce needs. Educators hope the new curriculum will help them.
Texas Education Agency delays release of annual school ratings
Read full article: Texas Education Agency delays release of annual school ratingsTEA said it needs to make adjustments to account for changes in students’ academic performance after the pandemic. The delay comes after several school districts sued to stop the agency from releasing school rankings produced under a new rating system.
School safety, tutoring and hair: These are some of the new education laws that go into effect this year
Read full article: School safety, tutoring and hair: These are some of the new education laws that go into effect this yearLawmakers failed to pass legislation on school vouchers or teacher raises this year, but they approved other education-related laws like an $800 million investment in high-quality instructional materials and new rules for students found vaping or using marijuana.
‘We didn’t do well’: Houston ISD superintendent breaks down STAAR test results
Read full article: ‘We didn’t do well’: Houston ISD superintendent breaks down STAAR test resultsThe STAAR test results were released for elementary and middle school students in Houston Independent School District Thursday, and according to Superintendent Mike Miles, “We didn’t do well.”
Despite post-pandemic improvements, STAAR scores show Texas students are still struggling with math and reading
Read full article: Despite post-pandemic improvements, STAAR scores show Texas students are still struggling with math and readingTest results have gone up since the pandemic in both subjects, but math scores are still below 2019 levels and about half of Texas students read below the level appropriate for most children in their grade.
Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in Dallas
Read full article: Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in DallasMike Miles has wasted no time in restructuring schools and proposing administrative layoffs. The changes are designed to pay teachers at struggling schools more if their students show improvement.
Texas House’s version of the Senate’s voucher bill would change eligibility to the program and replace the STAAR test
Read full article: Texas House’s version of the Senate’s voucher bill would change eligibility to the program and replace the STAAR testThe Texas House’s education committee is soon expected to discuss the new version of Senate Bill 8, which was heavily modified to sway votes in the lower chamber.
Is your child taking the STAAR test? What parents should know to prepare them📝🍎
Read full article: Is your child taking the STAAR test? What parents should know to prepare them📝🍎In an effort to ease your mind when it comes to making sure your children feel prepared for testing at school, here are some tips the Texas Education Agency has provided for STAAR test preparation:
When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a difference
Read full article: When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a differenceReaders sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions.
High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.
Read full article: High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.The Texas Education Agency has dismissed the notion that the accountability ratings are a poverty rating. As evidence, they point to districts like those in the Rio Grande Valley, which have achieved high marks while serving a high number of economically disadvantaged students.
Texas high school students slightly improve on some standardized tests — but haven’t fully regained ground since the pandemic
Read full article: Texas high school students slightly improve on some standardized tests — but haven’t fully regained ground since the pandemicStudents saw improvement in the STAAR tests for Algebra I, Biology and U.S. History.
Texas will resume grading public schools based on students’ STAAR test results
Read full article: Texas will resume grading public schools based on students’ STAAR test resultsFor the first time since the pandemic, Texas schools will again be rated based on standardized tests. But for one year only, schools that receive a D or F will get a “not rated” label.
Houston-area McDonald’s restaurants to give students, teachers free breakfast for STAAR testing Tuesday
Read full article: Houston-area McDonald’s restaurants to give students, teachers free breakfast for STAAR testing TuesdayOn Tuesday, Houston-area McDonald’s restaurants will provide free breakfast to students taking the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test and teachers.
Analysis: Texas schools need support from politically distracted state leaders
Read full article: Analysis: Texas schools need support from politically distracted state leadersPublic education in Texas — like everywhere in the country — is hurting after more than two years of pandemic. But many in the political class are preoccupied with reforms that have more to do with social issues than with education.
Analysis: Some Texas lawmakers are worried about the wrong reading problem
Read full article: Analysis: Some Texas lawmakers are worried about the wrong reading problemSome Texas Republicans are busy raising questions about what's in the books in the state's public school libraries. The real problem isn't in the books.
How local school districts measured in testing after dramatic drop in STAAR test scores
Read full article: How local school districts measured in testing after dramatic drop in STAAR test scoresThe number of students failing to meet grade-level went up statewide across all grade levels and nearly all subject areas according to results of the Spring 2021 STAAR test released Monday by the Texas Education Agency.
Texas students’ standardized test scores dropped dramatically during the pandemic, especially in math
Read full article: Texas students’ standardized test scores dropped dramatically during the pandemic, especially in mathThe drop was more significant in districts that had most of their instruction online, compared to districts with more in-person classes.
Texas will require students to take the STAAR test in person
Read full article: Texas will require students to take the STAAR test in person(TEXAS TRIBUNE) – Texas public school students must show up in person to take the STAAR test this spring and districts can apply for waivers to socially distance test-takers, according to recent guidance released by the Texas Education Agency. School districts can set up sites outside of their schools, including performing arts centers, hotels and recreational centers where they can "ensure equitable access and maintain test security." Currently, Texas requires all districts to allow in-person learning for all students who want it, with few exceptions. Texas has already said students in younger grades who fail required STAAR exams can move up to the next grade. Morath said the data from the tests will show the extent of the educational gaps Texas students have experienced during a devastating pandemic.
Gov. Abbott waives grade promotion requirements for 2020-21 STAAR test
Read full article: Gov. Abbott waives grade promotion requirements for 2020-21 STAAR testHOUSTON – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that the grade-promotion requirement related to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test, for students in grades 5 and 8 will be waived in the 2020-21 school year. SCHOOLS: Follow all our latest coverage of what Houston-area school districts have planned for the upcoming school yearThe STAAR test begins in third grade and can stop poor-performing students from advancing to the next grade or graduating high school. Test scores are also used to evaluate teachers and are part of the state’s A-F grading system for schools. The test will be administered in May to coincide with the STAAR testing for other grades 3-8, officials announced Monday. And while he is at it, he should just suspend STAAR testing for 2020-21, period.
Texas to resume high-stakes STAAR testing in 2020-21 school year
Read full article: Texas to resume high-stakes STAAR testing in 2020-21 school yearAUSTIN, Texas – Texas public school districts haven't finalized their plans for a return to the classroom, but they know the state will resume its high-stakes standardized testing for millions of students. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the state Board of Education on Tuesday that the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, also known as STAAR, will return in the 2020-2021 school year. Days later, the federal government waived its standardized testing requirements. The STAAR test begins in third grade and can stop poor-performing students from advancing to the next grade or graduating high school. “Standardized testing should be the last priority for students, educators and policy makers.
Governor Abbott waives STAAR testing requirements for 2019-2020 school year
Read full article: Governor Abbott waives STAAR testing requirements for 2019-2020 school yearAUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced that he has waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, Abbott is requesting that the Department of Education waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Abbott said he is working closely with the Texas Education Agency to ensure that schools continue to deliver instruction to students while students are absent or while schools are closed due to COVID-19. Abbott said he will continue to work with the TEA on developing additional methods to ensure that students are learning at the next grade-level. “Your health and safety are top priorities, and the state of Texas will give school districts flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty, and their families,” Abbott said.