Education News
Houston Opt-Out Movement Ramps Up Boycott This Testing Season
Posted on · There’s no official state policy on opting out, but the Houston school district says students won't be disciplined for missing the exam.
Tag: testing
Education News
Want To Opt Out From Standardized Testing? There’s A Form For That.
Posted on · The HISD board approved the new "opt out" policy, which serves as a notice for parents about the implications and prohibits any negative consequences.
Houston Matters
From Reduced Testing to Teacher Bonuses: What Changes Are in Store for HISD?
Posted on · In the past few weeks, the Houston Independent School District's administration has announced some planned changes, including scaling back student testing next year. HISD Superintendent Terry Grier also initially proposed to end the district's controversial performance bonus system, but he went back on that proposal earlier this week. Next week, the HISD board will review […]
Education News
Houston ISD Letter: Students Who Opt Out Of STAAR Tests Could Fail
Posted on · The Houston Independent School District warns that students who don't take the state standardized tests could have to take summer school or even be held back. But some parents disagree with the conclusion.
Education News
Some Texas Students Encounter Computer Glitches With Online State Tests
Posted on · The state contracts with the company Pearson to write the exams and also deliver them, including computer-based tests.
Education News
More Houston Parents Opting Children Out Of Standardized Tests
Posted on · In public schools around the country, there's a growing backlash against high-stakes testing. Parents in Greater Houston are also joining that movement.
Houston Matters
Helping Houstonians with HIV/AIDS
Posted on · National HIV Testing Day is this Friday, and the Texas Department of State Health Services is hosting an HIV/STD Conference later this summer in Austin. The city of Houston is partnering with AIDS Foundation Houston to test 15,000 Houstonians for HIV this summer. About 27,000 Houstonians are HIV positive, and thousands more are believed to […]
Education News
With No STAAR Score, Student Has to Complete Summer Project
Posted on · The student's mother opted him out of the state's standardized test.
Education News
Some Texas Superintendents Criticize Testing System Ahead of Latest Results
Posted on · Statewide test results for grades three through eight are expected next week.
Education News
Texas Wants Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Despite Houston Lawsuit
Posted on · Proposal bases 20 percent of teacher's grade on student growth on tests.
Education News
Houston Teachers File Federal Lawsuit Over Evaluation System
Posted on · The lawsuit claims the system that uses student test scores is unreliable.
Education News
World’s Schoolmaster Offers Lessons On US Education
Posted on · Andreas Schleicher uses test scores to advise school systems around the world.
Houston Matters
Is Houston’s Crime Lab Improving?
Posted on · The Houston Forensic Science Center â Houstonâs crime lab â is being overseen these days by an independent board, which hired Dr. Daniel Garner to run it. Garner formerly managed the forensics lab for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. On this edition of Houston Matters, weâll talk with Dr. Garner and chairman […]
Houston Matters
Are High-Stakes Tests Pushing Teachers to Cheat?
Posted on · The investigation continues into the possibility of teachers cheating on state exams at two HISD elementary schools. KUHF education reporter Laura Isensee has been following this developing story, and she’ll have an update for us. Weâll also talk with Dawn Westfall, who’s written about âhigh stakesâ testing that may unintentionally incentivize cheating among teachers. Weâll […]
Houston Matters
State Bill to Reduce Testing Passes Both Chambers
Posted on · Graduation is on the minds of legislators in Austin these days. Both houses of the Texas legislature have passed a bill to change standardized testing and other graduation requirements for high school students in Texas. The proposed legislation would reduce from 15 to 5 the number of standardized tests students need to pass in order […]