Panel won't push for STAAR test replacement for now

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Thursday, July 28, 2016
Special panel won't recommend replacing STAAR test
A special panel has some new ideas on standardized tests in Texas

AUSTIN, TX (KTRK) -- A special panel created to consider how Texas assesses student performance will not recommend a replacement to the STAAR test in its report to Governor Greg Abbott and the state legislature.

The Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability met for the seventh time in Austin on Wednesday to discuss what might come next for student testing in the Lone Star State.

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In the report, the 15-member commission declines to replace the current STAAR test, but is pushing for a computer-based exam to measure student performance and progress throughout the school year.

The hope is the computerized testing would provide teachers and parents with "useful, real-time feedback" on student progress.

SEE ALSO: In protest, parents keep students home during STAAR testing

The commission also acknowledged that this might become a standard that would replace the STAAR test down the road, but that many schools do not have the computers or the Internet resources required for digital testing.

The commission's final report will be submitted to the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott on September 1. You can read the commission's draft report and notes from their meetings on the Texas Education Agency's website.

The Texas Legislature formed the commission in 2015, with members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, the house speaker, in addition to seating members of the house and senate education committees and the State Board of Education.

SEE ALSO: HISD says thousands of STAAR test reanswer sheets go missing during shipping

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