Texas House Representative Gary VanDeaver (District 1) presented House Bill 3668 to the House Committee earlier this week. This bill, according to VanDeaver, would reform “an inefficient and frankly un-Texan testing system … “
“As a lifelong educator, I believe that the current testing system in Texas is excessive, costly, takes too much time away from classroom instruction, and produces results that are over-valued within the statewide accountability system,” VanDeaver said on social media. “HB 3668 seeks to resolve all of those issues in one swing.”
Given House Bill 3668 is signed into law, it would:
- Eliminate the writing STAAR in grades 4 and 7.
- Eliminate the Social Studies STAAR in grade 8.
- Eliminate the English EOC.
- Eliminate the US History EOC
- Prohibit the state from adopting testing in excess of federal requirements.
- Remove high stakes associated with grade promotion in grades 5 and 8, and graduation.
- Require the TEA commissioner to apply for a federal waiver in disaster situations.
- Require assessment results during disaster situations not be used in accountability.
VanDeaver said recent issues with the STAAR testing system demonstrate why HB 3668 and likewise legislation are needed.
“Between 2021 and 2023, Texas will be spending in excess of $387 million on testing software similar to what is currently being used,” VanDeaver said. “We’re trying to solve adult problems with children, and that’s just not fair.”
To follow HB 3668’s progress, click here or visit https://capitol.texas.gov.
District 1 includes all of Bowie, Franklin, Lamar, and Red River counties.
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