Representative proposes changes to standardized testing in Texas

State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, who represents Blanco and Hays counties, said he plans to propose fundamental reforms as to how students in Texas are tested when the 85th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 10.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests are administered to most elementary, middle and high school students. The exams test a student’s understanding of math, reading, science and social studies, among other subjects. Administration of the tests has been hampered by glitches, lost testing materials and mishandling of students’ private information, according to a news release from Isaac’s office.

Isaac said his phone “blew up” after issuing a news release Aug. 29 outlining a plan to overhaul the administration of the STAAR tests and add a “dose of free-market philosophy to education” by allowing each of the state’s more than 1,000 school districts to choose which standardized test to administer.

“I don’t think we need to get the problems ironed out at the state level,” Isaac said. “We need to let the districts decide which tests they’re going to implement, when they’re going to implement it and as long as [the process] complies with state law … then we’re good with the [federal requirements of the] Every Student Succeeds Act.”

On Aug. 23, the Texas Education Agency announced it was levying a $20.7 million fine on the STAAR test’s vendor, Educational Testing Service, which has a $300 million contract with the state to administer the test.

“Flawed testing practices threaten the state of Texas’ ability to fulfill our education system’s goals—and our children’s futures,” Isaac said. “The litany of errors being uncovered about STAAR is simply a disservice to our students, hard-working teachers and families. To that end, I propose that schools be given the freedom to choose from a variety of nationally normed standardized tests, not have their hands tied while the state of Texas tries to iron out STAAR’s many kinks.”