Keith Bell wants to suspend STAAR
State Rep. joins other legislators in call for pause in test
(Courtesy photo: District 4 State Rep. Keith Bell.)
District 4 State Rep. Keith Bell wants the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test suspended for the coming school year.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Bell said, “In a time of crisis, it is all about timing. I don’t believe there is a single legislator that doesn’t believe that we shouldn’t put a pause on the STAAR test and the A-F accountability system in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.”
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended the window for STAAR testing in 2020-2021, but under the current plan the testing will still move forward.
“As a member of the House Public Education Committee, I am more concerned that schools are opened safely, fully funded, students and educators have the resources they need to feel safe whether in-person or virtual and our kids are learning,” Bell said.
Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims agrees with Bell. I spoke with Dr. Sims Tuesday about the start of school in Athens.
“The pressures caused by standardized testing are enormous. I don’t believe our students, parents, or teachers need this added stress now,” said Dr. Sims. “I agree with Rep. Bell, we have many more pressing matters than STAAR testing.”
“While I understand TEA’s desire to try to gauge where the children of Texas stand academically, our schools are capable of administering other assessments that would provide baseline data. Both STAAR testing and the A-F accountabilities ratings should be suspended this year and possibly next,” she said.
Bell joins approximately two dozen lawmakers who have called for the STAAR test to be suspended for this year.
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