As the 86th State Legislative Session comes to a close next week, big changes could be coming for educators and students regarding standardized testing.
This week, the state Senate passed a bill which would bring significant additions to the STAAR test. It will add entirely new components and even requiring exams for the youngest public school students.
If approved by Gov. Greg Abbott, the changes would include adding a writing component of the test for third through eighth graders. It would also add a reading assessment for kindergarteners.
Nancy Vera, president of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers, says these new mandates put a heavier burden on teachers and stifle creativity of students.
She believes money from the state could be spent in more productive ways.
“We spend so much money on the STAAR test that could be given to educational funding in other areas,” Vera said. “For example, emphasizing Pre-K for all students and not just low-income students, because that’s so important.”
The bill just has to be signed by Abbott for it to become law.
If approved, the law would go into effect on Sept. 1.
