REFORM AT THE LEGISLATURE
Multiple bills have been filed by Texas legislators in the ongoing 88th legislative session to reform the role STAAR plays in school districts’ accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency.
Filing legislator
Filing date
House Bill 4402 Would change how campus and district performance is assessed so STAAR scores are less of an influence on the accountability rating system
House Bill 37 Would establish a commission to develop recommendations to improve public school assessment and accountability
House Bill 337 Would alter certain end- of-course assessment and graduation requirements
House Bill 680 Would implement “growth- based” assessments that can be catered to students’ needs
House Bill 535 Would expand the indicators used to measure public school achievement
Rep. Ernest Bailes, R-Shepherd, and Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin Nov. 14; referred to Public Education Committee on Feb. 23
Rep. Keith Bell, R-Forney
Rep. Mary González, D-El Paso Nov. 14; referred to Public Education Committee on Feb. 23
Rep. John H. Bucy III, D-Austin Nov. 14; referred to Public Education Committee on Feb. 23
Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano Nov. 15; referred to Public Education Committee on Feb. 23
March 9; referred to Senate’s Education Committee on May 11
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
graduation rates, and college, career and military readiness outcomes. For elementary and middle schools, STAAR scores are the sole consideration for campus accountability ratings, Popinski said. According to a 2022 survey taken by nonprofit research organization Charles Butt Foundation, teachers and community members had low faith in STAAR before the redesign debuted in April. The 2022 Texas Teacher Poll—which was con- ducted via an online questionnaire April 4-May 16, 2022—found that 83% of teachers surveyed were not confident that STAAR properly measures how well a student is learning. Meanwhile, 98% of teach- ers and 83% of Texans thought STAAR tests should not be the sole measurement for a school district’s accountability rating.
337 would alter certain end-of-course assessment and graduation requirements, and HB 680 would implement “growth-based” assessments that can be catered to students’ needs. Similar bills include HB 535, which expands the indicators used to measure public school achieve- ment, and HB 37, which would establish a commis- sion tasked with developing recommendations to improve public school accountability systems. House Bills 337, 680, 535 and 37 have not yet passed as of press time. Hannah Norton contributed to this report.
“[STAAR being involved in accreditation] makes it a high-pressure, high-intensity test for all involved: students, teachers, school districts, communities,” Popinski said. Multiple legislators in the ongoing 88th session— which began Jan. 10 and will conclude May 29—are working to change the accountability model. HB 4402 would change the rating system so STAAR scores have less influence. The bill was approved by the House on May 9 in a 128-17 vote with two repre- sentatives abstaining, according to the Texas Legis- lature Online. The bill was being considered by the Senate’s Education Committee as of press time. Texas representatives have also filed other bills to further evolve the STAAR test and the role it plays in school district accountability. For example, HB
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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