Essay On Tn Ready

One reason for the creation of the NCLB Act was that the American education system was not internationally competitive. The United States wasn’t producing as well educated students as other countries. When the NCLB Act was signed into law in 2002, the United States was ranked 20th in the world for math on the newest (from 2000) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. In the newest results (from 2015), the U.S. was ranked 40th. Similarly, the U.S fell from 15th to 24th in science, and from 16th to 24th in reading, all over the same fifteen-year period (2000-2015). Some of the higher rated schools, such as Finland, have very few or no standardized tests. Creating more standardized tests doesn’t create a better education system.

“…only twenty-two percent of those surveyed said increased testing had helped the performance of their local schools compared with twenty-eight in 2007” (“Public Skeptical of Standardized Testing.”). Furthermore the poll indicated an eleven percent increase, compared to last year, towards the favor of discontinuing the usage of students’ test results for teacher evaluations. William Bushaw, executive director of PDK International and co-director of PDK/Gallup Poll also stated, “Americans’ mistrust of standardized tests and their lack of confidence and understanding around new education standards is one the most surprising developments we’ve found in years” (“Public Skeptical of Standardized Testing.”). All in all, not only are these tests a concern for students, who are forced to sit through them, hoping to get a decent enough score to place into a class, receive their diploma, or even get accepted to the college of their dreams, but they are a concern for parents as well, who only want the best for their children and to see them succeed.

Some Texas lawmakers are trying to lower the number of standardized tests, let schools pick the test providers to create more competition in the testing market, get rid of the evaluation of teachers by the STAAR scores, and lower the burden of the A-F rating of the STAAR test. Last year there were several problems with the STAAR tests, so much that the company had to pay a $5.7 million fine. When Texas has 17 tests between 3rd through 12th grade, it is about time that it starts to lower the number of tests on students especially young students (Brandeis).

Another challenge is how often Texas changes its statewide testing regiments. So far it has changed four times over the past century, TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) was one of the regiments lasting from 1999 to 2011. The system currently in use and that will end by next year is the STARR exam (State of Texas Academic Readiness). The testing regiments change constantly because they do not accurately gauge a students performance. Also the fact that the main goal of the curriculum is religious and ideological control further hinders the academic performance of students. For example,

Following the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, it has not only sparked fear in students but teachers as well. High stakes testing has taken a toll on student creativity and achievement as well as the closing of schools and termination of teachers and administrators. In 2011 Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated that “82 percent of schools could be failing by the end of 2012” (US News, 2013). Proponents of testing such as taxpayers and parents approve of this process as it increases accountability of the schools and teachers.

This article, "What Do Test Scores In Texas Tell US?" by the Rand Corporation looks at the pros and cons to high stakes testing in Texas. High stakes testing was meant to improve academic scores and motivate teachers, but unintended concerns have risen. Professionals and the media question exactly how beneficial these test are, and if we should continue to use them. Texas was looked at because students had made huge strides in statewide testing. "Gains in Texas Assessment and Academic Skills (TAAS) reading and math scores for both majority and minority have been so dramatic that they have dubbed the 'Texas Miracle '" (Rand, 2000). The success was so great that Texas students were put through further test to validate that these impressive scores. Students tested on the National Assessment of Educational Process (NAEP) between 1994 and 1998. After comparing the scores for TAAS to the scores of NAEP many questions arose for the validity of statewide testing. Tables in the article show that the TAAS scores are differ greatly than those of the NAEP. Though the scores between the two test were much different Texas students who took the NAEP were higher than the U.S. average. Also, by 1998 the gap between the scores of white students and students of color got smaller. Questions about why the gap between the TAAS scores and the NAEP scores were so great were never directly answered. Suggestions were made that Texas teachers could more easily prepare students for the

It is the one time of year when it seems all teachers, administrators, and even students are stressed. Parents are enforcing their kids to get to bed at a decent time, eat a healthy breakfast, and to not forget their number two pencils. It is TCAP testing time. Standardized testing has been a norm for over seventy-five years in almost every first- world country. From state regulated tests, to the “college-worthy” ACT and SAT, standardized tests have become a dreaded rite of passage for every student.

I firmly believe that education should be a top priority for the state of Texas. It could possibly be the state’s priority, and the state’s government officials have faith in that high-stakes testing is the best way to enhance education. The high-stakes testing could give students skills in certain areas - such as working under pressure – but a 2016 report shows Texas is still ranked 41st overall in education ("Texas Earns a C-Minus on State Report Card”). There are proposed solutions already in the works, such as the aforementioned HB 133 that proposed to decrease the amount of exams, and also removes STAAR scores from teacher

Ever since the fall of 2015, when TN Ready began, the state has experienced many problems, some of which still exist two years later. The original plan was to have students test online from the beginning; that was however halted, when the system students were using crashed. After the computer system crashed, the state decided to test on paper, which the

The Texas state exams have strengthen students educations level and also prepare them for higher-level courses. This has helped the system a lot but it’s also have some disadvantages. Providing these exams is unfair to any children with a disabilities or a disadvantage in learning abilities. One major milestone for Texas public school system in this issue was the No Child Left Behind Act. In 2001, President George W. Bush, former Texas governor, signs The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 proposes to close the achievement gap using accountability measures (Jones). This provide all children with a fair and equal opportunity in school education. This have further reformed the system and helped out any children in

She claims that the problems that occurred with No Child Left Behind were not due to the tests themselves, but were due to “the misuse of testing for high stakes purposes, the belief that tests could identify with certainty which students should be held back, which teachers and principals should be fired or rewarded, and which schools should be closed.” (p.150). Ravitch also ventures to explain that the information acquired from national testing can be extremely valuable, but only if the tests themselves are valid and reliable. For instance, they can show students what they’ve learned, what they haven’t learned, and where they need improvement. A popular alternative to standardized testing is performance-based assessment.

That a change in STAAR testing. A massive impact that teachers are doing is standing up against lawmakers. In March 2012 over 65 teachers and supporters protested and marched to The State Capitol to the Texas Education Agency with the intention that’s it’s time for a change within public schools making sure our students are prepared for college and their future careers, which seems to be lacking with STAAR testing over concern with class racks, GPA's and college admissions. With 15 % of students’ scores being held against their jobs, it’s time to fight back for teachers in Texas. The impact of the march is to rally together as teachers and see there is a problem with STAAR testing and something needs to be done to change the way it affects teachers in Texas, with more teachers standing up for their jobs and telling TEA it’s about the children, not test scores, this is making more groups take notice like Education Austin and Occupy Austin, who are also seeing that the STAAR test is failing. Education Austin co-President Ken Zarifis said,” members of the Austin district labor group have spoken out against excessive testing for years. “He continued saying, “People thought we were crazy”. Then a couple of weeks ago, the commissioner said we’re testing too such,” (Wermund 30-31) With teachers taking a stand and letting TEA know they do have a voice and they do deserve to

Ever since the fall of 2015, when TN Ready began the state has experienced many problems, some of which still exist two years later. The original plan was to have students test online from the get go, but that was halted when the system students were using crashed. After the computer system crashed the state then decided to test on paper, which the vendor could not manage to get out in

The No Child Left Behind Act also has a very narrow focus on curriculum. The act focuses on just math and reading scores. This could have an undemocratic effect on a large generation of students in poorly performing schools. Schools would have take away much of the broad education in order to elevate scores on just two subject areas. Students in wealthy schools with good test scores will continue to learn a full range of subjects including art, social studies and science, while the students who scored poorly on the tests, will be receiving education in only two subject areas. It is not right to put two subjects as the top priority. This means that not all students will get a complete education. This concern with literacy and math skills divides

The No Child Left Behind Act should tremendously be re-examined and amended because the focus on the standardized tests decrease the quality of other subjects not on the tests, the tests are not an efficient tool to make certain that a student is receiving an excellent education and the tests create unnecessary stress for the students, teachers and administrators. The purpose of No Child Left Behind is to provide every student with the opportunity to receive a top-grade education. This is a great proposal to strive towards but, legislation plans on achieving this proposal by making schools responsible for their students’ proficiency and to measure their proficiency with the use of standardized tests. After the students take the