Implementation of HB5 and Further Progress
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TAMSA Overview
Evolution of Texas Student Assessments
Concerns About Current STAAR Testing
TAMSA Advocacy Objectives
How You Can Help
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A statewide, grassroots organization comprised of concerned parents and other community members
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Improve public education in Texas through the use of meaningful and effective student assessments, allowing:
 more productive classroom instruction
 more efficient use of public funds
4

*Pins represent where TAMSA has members (as of 7/1/14)
Texas Education Service Centers:
1.
Edinburg
2.
Corpus Christi
3.
Victoria
4.
Houston
5.
Beaumont
6.
Huntsville
7.
Kilgore
8.
Mount Pleasant
9.
Wichita Falls
10. Richardson (Dallas)
11. Fort Worth
12. Waco
13. Austin
14. Abilene
15. San Angelo
16. Amarillo
17. Lubbock
18. Midland
19. El Paso
20. San Antonio
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Parental Involvement is Critical to Policy Making
• Legislators understand that parents have an everyday perspective on what is and is not working in public education. The current system is broken.
• Momentum for reform continues to build.
• TAMSA’s SlideShare presentation was in the top 1%
most viewed in 2013.
• Within 48 hours of HB 5 being signed into law,
TAMSA had over 100,000 views on Facebook.
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• Provide parents’ voice on the consequences of excessive standardized testing
• Ask decision-makers to consider the purpose of standardized tests and ensure that every test is meaningful
• Demand that assessments be used to support our children, not to close down our schools
• Promote accountability as a means by which we measure achievement in multiple ways, not just based on standardized tests
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Recent Polls Shows Bi-Partisan Support of
Reducing State-Mandated Tests
A majority of respondents from both political parties (58%
Reps; 64% Dems) felt that reducing the number of standardized tests students are required to take would be effective in improving K-12 public education in Texas. 1
A second poll in Feb 2014 similarly showed “reducing the number of standardized tests students must take was identified as one of the most effective changes Texas could make in public education.” 61% Reps and 69% Dems agreed cutting tests would help public education in Texas.
2
1 University of Texas / Texas Tribune Statewide Survey conducted in June 2013
2 University of Texas/Texas Tribune Statewide Survey conducted in February 2014
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POP QUIZ!!
• How many of you know your state senator and representative?
• How many of you have met with your state senator or representative?
• How many of you provide information to them on a regular basis?
• Have you ensured that your senator & representative know how many employees & students are in your district?
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VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
• Texas has the lowest voter turn out rate in the nation.
• What are you doing to encourage all your employees to vote?
• Do you send out messages indicating when the voting window is and encouraging all employees to vote?
• Do you have a process in place to make voting easier for all employees (an hour off of work, etc.)
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TAMSA Overview
Evolution of Texas Student Assessments
Concerns About Current STAAR Testing
TAMSA Advocacy Objectives
How You Can Help
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Year Began
1979
1984
1989
2003
2012
2014
Name
TABS
TEAMS
TAAS
TAKS
STAAR/EOC
STAAR/EOC
# of High Stakes tests*
X
X
X
4
22
12
* High-stakes tests are exams that must be passed to either advance to the next grade level or graduate. High-stakes also include using test scores to determine teacher evaluations and/or school accountability.
12

Texas requires more state-mandated, high-stakes tests for high school graduation than most other states 1
Number of States
Number of Tests
Required to Pass for
Graduation
25
0
0
1
7
2
10
3
2
4
5
5
1
6 - 9
• Of the top 10 states ranked by NAEP in 8 th grade math or reading in 2013, over half of the states require no exit exams for high school graduation.
• Of the states that require exit exams, 3 offer alternatives, such as portfolios, to earn a high school diploma.
• Texas ranked #19 in math and #39 in reading by NAEP, and requires students to pass 5 End of Course exams to graduate.
1 Data from Center of Education Policy: “State High School Exit Exams: A Policy in Transition” 9/12
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“Benchmark tests” are district-required assessments designed to prepare students for state-mandated
(STAAR) tests.
HB5 permits ONLY TWO (2) per year per subject tested.
POP QUIZ 2 - Are you taking steps to ensure your district is NOT giving more than two benchmark or short cycle assessments?
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Parents, employers, & taxpayers ask:
1. How much are we spending on state standardized tests?
2. What is the purpose of these tests?
3. Do these tests help prepare students for college or careers?
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2000 – 2001 2001 – 2002 2002 – 2003
$39,122,054
2005 – 2006
$87,427,757
$50,208,435
2006 – 2007
$100,214,658
$47,451,455
2007 – 2008
$87,260,970
2010 – 2011 2011 – 2012 2012 – 2013
$90,665,041 $86,947,731 $76,221,745
* 2014-2015 data estimate based on actuals through July 2014.
TOTAL 2000 – 2015
$1,142,431,196
2003 – 2004
$58,692,430
2008 – 2009
$92,103,116
2013 – 2014
$92,920,192
2004 – 2005
$62,641,857
2009 – 2010
$85,208,340
2014 – 2015*
$85,345,415
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17

2003 – 2011
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
100
95
90
85
2003
Mathematics
Science
2004 2005
Reading
Social Studies
Writing
*2009 – 2011 include TAKS-Acc
2006 2007 2008 2009* 2010* 2011*
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2012 - 2014
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
2012
Scores represent initial Spring testing.
2013 2014
Reading
Math
Social Studies
Science
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2003 – 2010 – NEED TO ADD 2011 - 2013
African Am.
Hispanic White Asian
1200
1150
1100
1050
1000
950
900
850
800
750
700
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20

Success in Higher Education Overall
*Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) report “A New Measure of Educational Success in
Texas: Tracking the Success of 8 th Graders Into and Through College” Feb. 2012 21

Success in Higher Education by Ethnicity
*Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) report “A New Measure of Educational Success in
Texas: Tracking the Success of 8 th Graders Into and Through College” Feb. 2012 22

TAMSA Overview
Evolution of Texas Student Assessments
Concerns About Current STAAR Testing
TAMSA Advocacy Objectives
How You Can Help
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• STAAR tests are not diagnostic – they provide no substantive data or analysis to help children improve.
• Norm Referenced Tests (NRTs), such as ITBS, ACT, SAT, are nationally accepted exams that provide pages of detailed diagnostic data and suggestions for improvement.
• As a state, our tax dollars would be better spent on assessments that help, not punish, children
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The same grades and subjects are tested with TAKS and
STAAR, but STAAR exams are timed and more rigorous.
Writing Science S. Studies Grade
6
7
8
3
4
5
Math
X
X
X
X
X
X
Reading
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
Federal requirements dictate 14 tests; Texas administers 17.
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Five STAAR EOCs must be passed for graduation
TEXAS 5 STAAR EOCs
Must Pass to Graduate
• English I
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• US History
FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
NOT High-Stakes
• Reading
• Math
• Science
Starting with the 2015-16 school year, school districts, at their option, may add English III and Algebra II EOCs
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• No independent third-party has evaluated the exams to ensure they test the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Janice VanCleave, a former physics and chemistry teacher for 27 years in Texas public schools, evaluated the 2013 fifth-grade STAAR science test, and found
“Twenty-five percent of its 44 questions are inaccurate in facts or phrasing,” 1
1 Times Record News, Educators Challenge STAAR Questions, May 12, 2014
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• Eight year old third graders must sit quietly at desks for 4 hours for 2 consecutive days to take STAAR tests.
• High school freshman and sophomores must sit at desks for 5 hours to take English EOC exams. The SAT and ACT exams test math and English (and science) in less than 4 hours.
– 22% of the questions are field questions; including 1 of the
2 required essays. NRTs typically have 10% field questions and no essay is a field question
Educator Jeanine McGregor evaluated the reading levels of the
2013 STAAR fifth-grade tests. “The range is astounding,” she said.
“Passages range from third-grade to eighth-grade reading levels.
Either there is a calculated design in using material that is not fifth-grade level or there is total incompetency.” 1
1 Times Record News, Educators Challenge STAAR Questions, May 12, 2014
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• As of June 2014, there are 287,865 students in the
Class of 2015
• Of these students, at least 53,971 (19%) have not passed all the required EOCs, and are off track to graduate. What is the state doing for these thousands of students?
Removal of high stakes (requirement for graduation) would help put these on track to graduate (as is done in half of the states).
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• Perhaps as troubling as the 19% off track to graduate is the lack of explanation of what has happened to approximately 100,000 students.
• In Fall 2011 as the Class of 2015 began its 9 th grade year, TEA records show 393,553 students enrolled
( http://www.tea.state.tx.us/acctres/Enroll_2011-12.pdf
, p. 16)
• In June 2013, TEA records show 287,865 in the class
( http://www.tea.state.tx.us/news_release.aspx?id=2576981194 3)
• What happened to 105,688 students?
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1. Taxpayer Expense: $1.2 Billion (minimum)
2. College and Career Ready: No measurable improvement
3. Success in Higher Education: Below national levels
4. Dropout Forecast: Troubling
5. Validity: Unknown
6. Appropriate: No
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TAMSA Overview
Evolution of Texas Student Assessments
Concerns About Current STAAR Testing
TAMSA Advocacy Objectives
How You Can Help
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TAMSA believes national norm-referenced tests
(NRTs) provide better student assessment than expensive state-designed STAAR exams:
• Nationally recognized
• Passing rates are not manipulated
• Already required for entrance into most colleges and universities in the country
Iowa Test of Basic
Skills (ITBS),
ReadiStep, Stanford
EXPLORE
Gr. 10
PLAN
PSAT
Gr. 11
ACT
SAT
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• Administer assessments for diagnostic purposes to support student learning
• Require no high-stakes for individual students: no performance requirement for grade promotion or high school graduation
• Decrease time spent on state-mandated testing, including shortening state-designed exams.
• Eliminate all field test essay questions, and reduce the number of multiple choice field test questions
• Ensure that state-mandated exams are valid and appropriate
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1. Administer 2 NRTs: one during grades 3-5 and one during grades 6-8 in lieu of STAAR (district’s choice from approved tests and grades administered)
2. Administer state-mandated tests only so long as and no more than required by and federal law (reading and math annually in grades 3-8, plus one science assessment during grades 3-5 and another science during grades 6-8)
3. Design state-mandated tests to be completed in significantly less time to be more age and developmentally appropriate; allow additional time if needed
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1. Administer 2 NRTs: one in 10 th grade and one in
11 th grade, such as PSAT/SAT or PLAN/ACT in lieu of STAAR (district’s choice from approved tests)
2. Administer state-designed assessments only so long as and no more than required by federal law (math, LA and science)
3. If state requires exit exams, provide alternative paths for graduation (portfolios, review board appeal process, NRT cut scores, dual credit, etc)
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TAMSA Overview
Evolution of Texas Student Assessments
Texas State-Mandated Standardized Tests
TAMSA Advocacy Objectives
How You Can Help
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• Meeting with legislators, parents, teachers, community groups and businesses
• Working with education and testing experts at UT Austin and other universities
• Participating in media interviews and writing Op-Eds and Counter Op-Eds
• Testifying in hearings before the House, Senate and
State Board of Education
• Communicating formally with TEA regarding STAAR implementation and testing issues
• Updating members via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter
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• Joining TAMSA, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter
• Acting when TAMSA sends “Call to Action” instructions
• Contacting elected officials to request support for education testing reform
• Participating via social media in the debate about testing in Texas schools
• Meeting with legislators in local districts
• Testifying in Austin
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• Because of committed and passionate parents & voters, our voices were heard in Austin in 2013.
• HB5 passed in both House and Senate chambers unanimously and limited the number of statedesigned tests in high school.
• Progress will not go unchallenged; some are highly motivated to increase the number of STAAR tests.
• Vigilance and continued involvement is essential.
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Recent Legislative Hearings & Interest in Change
• During the August 26, 2014 Senate Education
Hearing, many senators expressed frustration with STAAR and a desire to make improvements .
• Senator Dan Patrick, “I don’t trust these tests.”
• Senator Van de Putte, “Writing 26 lines destroys creativity; How can we trust this accountability system?” “STAAR is not working for employers, parents and educators.”
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Senate Concern over STAAR
• Senator Kel Seliger, “We have an alignment problem with the test…..I am highly skeptical of a 5 hour ELA test – it’s like the Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe.”
• Senator Kel Seliger, “ACT is clearly about college prep; why are we even giving another test?”
• Senator Larry Taylor, “There is a disconnect between the tests and what is being taught.”
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Senator Concerns (cont.)
• Senator Kel Seliger asked what we are doing to address the 48,000 students off track to graduate in the Class of 2015.
• Senator Patrick suggested emergency legislation to address the urgent issue with this class.
• Senator Patrick further suggested if we have SAT/ACT we may not need STAAR.
• Senator Taylor asked for changes to the ELA EOCs.
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Possibilities for Alternate Graduation Options
• Most of the 25 states who have high stakes testing allow for graduation committees, waivers, or alternate tests for students to earn a diploma
• We need to work collectively with the legislature
NOW to provide options to earning a diploma for all eligible students.
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Help Brainstorm Ideas for Diploma Satisfaction
• Remove high stakes to graduate. If not, then:
• Students meet with a Graduation Committee (similar to grade placement committees) and demonstrate the following to qualify for a HS diploma:
– Completion of all required coursework & attendance
– Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
– Two attempts at all required EOCs
– 20 documented hours of remediation efforts
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Other Ideas
• Test only readiness standards and not supporting standards
• Students with a passing dual credit final exam in reading/writing or math could substitute this for english or math EOCs.
• TSI as substitute for EOCs.
• Your ideas???
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Email: BoardMember@tamsatx.org
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Albert Einstein
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