With the mid-August release of scores from the 2016 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams, education administrators, teachers, parents and students are looking to the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability to see what the future holds for standardized testing in Texas.
Formed in 2015, the TCNGAA was tasked with providing recommendations to Gov. Greg Abbott each year regarding changes to be made to the statewide education system, including standardized testing.
“Standardized testing provides a single way to measure whether and how much all students are learning across the state,” Texas Education Agency spokesperson Lauren Callahan said. “TEA works with both houses of the Legislature by providing assistance and guidance on public education topics as needed. We then implement the legislation that is passed as it pertains to Texas public schools.”
This year’s TCNGAA report, submitted Sept. 1, includes recommendations that may address concerns voiced by Conroe ISD. Implementing an individualized, integrated system of multiple assessments using computerized-adaptive testing and instruction; allowing the commissioner of education to approve locally developed writing assessments; and streamlining the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are some of the proposed changes.
