It's something many Texas students and their parents dread.
A lot of their teachers and school administrators aren't too keen on it either.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness-better known by its acronym STAAR.
Since 2007, STAAR has been the standardized series of tests used in Texas public schools since the old Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was phased out.
Students in grades three through eight face a battery of tests each year to measure how well students have learned the state's required curriculum. Students in high school must pass end of course STAAR tests.
There has been criticism of STAAR from the start. But the complaints have intensified this year.
You see, STAAR is administered through a private company called Educational Testing Services., which took over from Pearson Education, the previous contractor. There are plenty who aren't any happier with the new firm than they were with its predecessor.
Among the charges are problems delivering tests to school districts, lost scores and records, a delay in reporting test results and more. The Texas Education Agency last week penalized the company, but TEA has also come under fire for not promptly implementing required changes to the testing procedure.
Things have become so confused that Texas state Rep. Jason Isaac, a Republican from Dripping Springs, has called for STAAR to be suspended until the problems are worked out. "The litany of errors being uncovered about STAAR is simply a disservice to our students, hard-working teachers, and families," he said.
Isaac says schools should have a variety of options on testing until the STAAR situation is worked out. He plans to file legislation to allow just that.
He says at least nine suitable tests are available nationwide.
We think Isaac is on to something.
Testing and assessment is important. But Texas students should not be held academic hostage while some for-profit company gets its act together. STAAR scores can have a big impact on students futures and college prospects. This isn't something to play around with.
Isaac's solution may not be ideal. We will wait to see the full proposal when he makes it public. But the TEA needs to get a handle on this and fast. We are supposed to trust these test results. That's hard to do with any confidence under current circumstances.
