NEXT GENERATION ASSESSMENTS

The SBOE (State Board of Education) has recommended keeping the STAAR and adding on more Assessments.  We are hearing terms such as Next Generation, Personalized or Individualized Learning.  In Layman's terms what this simply means is less time for teachers to teach in the classroom and more time our children will spending testing.  The purposed will be spent behind a computer screen.  Below is a letter by a teacher to the chair of the Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability, asking him for information about the Commission's recommendation for online testing. 

I am a high school English teacher (starting year 18 soon) and a mother of two Texas public school children. I will be finishing my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in December. I have been involved in intensive research on high-stakes testing, testing vendors, and federal and state testing and accountability legislation.

I watched the proceedings of the Commission with interest. I have reviewed the draft of the Commission's recommendations, and I am hoping you could answer some questions that I have about one of the main recommendations.

The draft recommendation 1 states "Implement an individualized, integrated system of multiple assessments using computerized adaptive testing and instruction. To provide useful, realtime feedback to educators, parents, and students, the commission recommends implementing a computer adaptive assessment system of multiple integrated assessments that are administered throughout the school year to measure individual student performance and growth. This system would replace the current STAAR assessment program."

I am wondering the following:

Which testing vendor(s) is/are slated to provide these assessments?
Which software will be used for the assessments?
Who writes the software, and where does the information come from?
Are any teachers involved in the writing of these online assessments?
What evidence supports that moving to online assessments is an effective method for the education of our public school children?
How many assessments will students be required to take, and in which grades will these assessments take place?
How long will the assessments last?
How will the summed scores of these assessments be used for accountability purposes?
How will the summed scores of these assessments be used to impact the future of each child taking them (grade retention/promotion, etc.)?

As a parent who is well informed about public education, the history of high-stakes testing in this state and the nation, and the role that Pearson/Gates play in influencing legislative decisions impacting public education, these very important questions must be answered. I speak for many concerned parents, grandparents, students, and citizens of this state who are not on board for this recommendation. We don't want our children taking more assessments; in fact, we have been fighting to limit the high-stakes nature of the current system.

Thank you so much for your time and attention to this email.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Rumsey
Texas public school parent
Texas educator

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