STEP By STEP Guide to OPT OUT of STAAR

Below is a link to a website that is packed with information on how to OPT OUT of STAAR Assessments.  I followed Scott Placek's sound advise and was successful in OPTING my child out of 8th Grade STAAR Assessments in 2016.

http://www.txedrights.net/opting-out-step-by-step/

Texas Senate Education Committee Hearing ~ Alice Linahan Testimony

The video below shows what NEXT GENERATION TESTING will look like for our children.  Alice Linahan goes into great detail with examples from a classroom.  

She is the Author of " A Parent's Guide Through Your Child's #1 Threat"  http://womenonthewall.org/  

This video is not only shocking but made me as a parent down right furious.  

Alice posted on Aug 8, 2016 the following.

"As Moms and Dads, we need to step back and start asking ourselves a couple of questions…

1. Can we accept an educational program as a truly solid academic education that will serve our children and their futures well, if our children graduate from high school or college with the attitudes, values, beliefs, behaviors, and a worldview that we oppose, which has been presented by teachers trained to believe it is their responsibility to be the devil’s advocate, and who teach our children to question and even oppose the foundational beliefs of our families?

2. Is it more important for our children to receive college credits in high school, or more important to establish and protect their minds and souls?

3. If your child graduates from college and attains a great, high paying job, but no longer respects – much less believes – that they are worthy of a strong marriage, a free and prosperous country, and that by the grace of God anything is possible – have we done our best to give our children a strong foundation for a happy, joy filled life?

Over three years ago, I began the journey of uncovering the facts behind what and how my children were being taught in their local public school. At the time, I had no idea the magnitude of what I was actually jumping into. Now, after working with so many amazing, everyday people who are much like myself (moms, dads, grandparents, and taxpayers) to uncover the facts, I now understand more clearly the roots behind the fundamental transformation in education, and the goals of those behind it, as stated by them."

Parent I urge you to share this video.  This is not only coming to our public schools; but it is here.  

Anita Hoge exposes Psychological Profiling, Unique Nat'l ID's and Common Core

In a world where we go to drastic measures to protect our identity why would it be OK for our children's identity to be accessed, shared and profiled. 

Anita Hoge has researched state and Federal contracts and her findings are alarming.  

"Social, Emotional, Behavioral Data is collected at school and entered into state longitudinal data warehouses accessed by 3rd party data miners. Psychological dossiers are created in fed NCES/IES DATABANKS. Interventions into personalities toward gov't group think ideology is accomplished through accountability. Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports are the constant remediation feedback loop legislated through ESEA, Title I and IDEA, SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. #StopESEA "

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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TEA to Recommend Scrapping STAAR test...Nothing to get excited about

Panel Could Recommend Scrapping STAAR Tests

• by Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune
• July 27, 2016

A special panel recommending changes to the state’s public school testing and accountability system could propose that the state scrap the controversial assessment regime known as STAAR.

The Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability didn't appear ready to get rid of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams at its last meeting in June despite widespread frustrations with the testing program, which was implemented in 2012. But a new draft report the 15-member panel is expected to refine and vote on at its final meeting Wednesday says STAAR should be replaced by a series of computer-based assessments throughout the school year. The results would “provide useful, real-time feedback to educators, parents, and students," the report says.

The recommendation is one of nine included in the commission’s report to Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature — and by far the most extreme. Others include reducing the number of curriculum standards covered in statewide exams, tweaking school accountability measures and extending a law, expiring next year, that allows some high schoolers to graduate without passing all five end-of-course exams. Commission members submitted 53 recommendations for consideration after its May meeting, where it struggled to hammer out a list of recommendations.

The draft report also includes five "considerations for further study," including exploring whether to replace STAAR with nationally recognized assessments that align with the state's curriculum.

Widespread technical and logistical problems with the spring administration of STAAR under a new testing vendor fueled an ongoing backlash against high-stakes standardized testing in the state this year. The foul ups prompted Education Commissioner Mike Morath to temporarily suspend a requirement that 5th and 8th graders pass exams before they can move on to the next grade. 

A recent large-scale survey organized by State Board of Education Chairwoman Donna Bahorich found that a majority of educators, parents and students support eliminating all statewide testing. 

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2016/07/27/texas-commission-scrapping-staar-tests/.

STAAR test graders sought on Craigslist

I would  expect with a $280 million contract that the testing vendors would use professional, qualified experts to handle the grading of these assessments.  Above is a screen shot of an AD placed on Craigslist recruiting Assessments Scorers.  

Lewisville ISD challenged the TEA and the testing vendor ETS to regrade a portion of their students short answer essays.  "Twenty-five percent of the re-scored tests improved. Some students would not have been able to graduate based on their initial score."   said Dr. Sarah Fitzhugh of the district. A 25% change in scores who were graded by one person to another is a SIGNIFICANT change.   Many other districts have followed suit to have assessments re-scored. Results may be back in July. 

2016 STAAR 5th & 8th grade have been waived due to numerous problems

"Kids in the classroom should never suffer from mistakes made by adults"

Region 4 Superintendents Letter to TEA

Open Letter-STAAR Accountability

As a parent seeing our public education system circling the toilet bowl I could not sit around any longer and watch the demise of our schools. I have stood up against the STAAR Assessments and will continue to do so until our education system has made vast strides to get back on track. Today I sent this letter to our Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton.

Dear Mr. Paxton,

I write to you today as a concerned parent and Texas Tax Payer. I am extremely concerned with the TEA's lack of compliance to Texas State law as it pertains to STAAR Assessments and accountability ratings. As you are very aware the 2015-1016 state STAAR Assessments for grades 3-8 did not comply with the state mandated time requirements set forth by law. “The proposed rule 19 T.A.C. §97.1001 should be amended to require that no state assessment instrument may be used in the determination of district or campus accountability ratings unless such assessment complies with the requirements of the Texas Education Code, Texas Administrative Code, and any applicable federal law or regulation.” The TEA should be mandated to follow the laws set forth just as we the citizens are mandated. The TEA should not be exempt from the law.

As you are also aware this year STAAR Assessments have been riddled with flaws and mistakes. Mistakes from lost tests/assessments, students being marked in the wrong school districts, questions with NO RIGHT ANSWER and the list goes on. I even quote Mike Morath of the TEA directly “The technical issues experienced today during the online administration of STAAR are simply unacceptable. Such issues undermine the hard work of our teachers and students. Kids in the classroom should never suffer from mistakes made by adults. Educational Testing Service is not new to administering assessments on a large-scale basis, so I cannot accept the transition to a new testing vendor as an excuse for what occurred. TEA also shares in the responsibility in the proper administration of these assessments. As an agency, we did not live up to that commitment. TEA will continue working with our school districts, charters and ETS to address these and any other outstanding issues.” Mike Morath March 29, 2016.

I urge you to take inventory of the TEA and now hold them accountable as they have plagued our school system, our teachers and most of all our children. It is time to listen to the parents, children and Superintendents across the state of Texas who have on countless occasions pointed out the flaws with these High Stakes Assessments. This is not a a PEARSON on ETS problem. It is a TEA problem and therefore they; as well as, our LEGISLATURE need to be personally held accountable.

I also encourage you and the TEA to also revisit the state assessments for Special Education. As a parent of a special education child, who is on an IEP, I find it outrageous that a one size fits all testing system has been developed and implemented. To take a child who with special accommodations can maintain an A/B average in the classroom and subject them to assessments that take away their accommodations outlined by 504/IEP is a direct violation of their Civil Rights. Violating these students 504 and IEP's can result in loss of funding per the US Dept of Education.

The Superintendent of my district feels the STAAR has failed; therefore, how can you expect me as a parent to have any confidence in your system? I have attached the letter signed by 50 Superintendents across Region 4 in Texas who outline the numerous flaws in this years STAAR Assessments alone.

I am even more disgusted to learn today that you personally signed a response to the lawsuit filed by several parents against the TEA...stating that parents lack standing and have no right to sue the TEA. We as tax payers have the same rights as you. We are expected to follow the laws set forth by the legislators; but, what you are saying is the TEA is above the law and does not have to follow the law. WOW.

This has been a sham on parents, teachers and the children of Texas. Our LEGISLATURE have allowed HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars to go wasted on these irrelevant, illegal and fraudulent ASSESSMENTS and curriculum. $1.1 Billion since 1991 to be exact. It’s time to wake up and admit this standardized testing has not positively impacted public education whatsoever. High stakes testing does NOT belong in the public education system. I believe there are better ways to utilize OUR tax-payer resources to assess the status of campuses and students in meaningful ways because nothing meaningful has come from the current system.

I will vote and continue to mobilize others to vote against every single one of you who endorse this unworthy, illegal system. Our future generations are what’s at stake here and they are too important to stand idle and do nothing to stop this greedy machine of waste, fraud and abuse!

Concerned Parent,

Heidi Bridwell Moore