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My name is Whitney Tarrant. I currently teach second grade, self-contained and have for the last four years. My other experience includes one year in fifth grade teaching mathematics. Within my classes I have had students of all backgrounds and abilities. I have served English-Language Learners, Special Education students with and without in-class support, and Gifted and Talented students. Currently I am attending further schooling in hopes of becoming an elementary administrator one day.
The topic I selected for my legal guide was Standardized Testing. I chose this topic as it is a controversial conversation across many schools in the state of Texas. Educators views vary from the great benefit of collecting and analyzing the data to the it is not always a true reflection of a student. While  I have been in a grade that takes STAAR test and grades that do not, I have been exposed to very different perspectives. As an educator, my ultimate goal is to always keep the best interest of students and teachers at the forefront of my mind. I chose this topic to expose others to the many reasons, explanations and opinions surrounding our current state standardized testing system.

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Standardized testing is consistently a subject of debate with both educators and parents. Parties involved in education all hold varying views on the benefits of the state testing each year. The standardized assessment, STAAR in the state of Texas, create a large amount of stress and worry for educators and students. Is the test we are giving truly showing a student's potential or growth in one day? The data collected from these assessments though can be greatly beneficial in many different ways. As an elementary educator who often discusses STAAR testing, I chose this subject to be able to learn more in-depth knowledge and present the information to others when they are debating the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing.
As an elementary educator and someone who hopes to one day become an elementary principal, I believe this topic is crucial to observe and learn about as more decisions are made in the coming years. While some educators do not see the benefit in the state assessments and push for other forms of assessments, how will we hold our students accountable across the states? As opposed to the STAAR testing, will the state adopt another assessment technique that may span more than a days growth, but still provide meaningful data for our educators? I believe as educators and citizens, we need to guarantee the benefits of standardized testing are beneficial for our students and teachers. Does the STAAR assessment, or like state asessments, have the best interest of students in mind? In the education field, and especially the elementary department, the change to standardized testing could impact the learning standards and process for the future leaders of America.

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Citation: Association, N. E. ESSA and Testing. NEA. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/essa-and-testing.

Link: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/essa-and-testing

Summary: The Every Child Succeeds Act is working towards reducing state wide testing and creating more student learning. The initiative would take stress of students and educators and allow children other opportunities to show growth. While state standardized testing continues, parents need to be informed of their option to opt their students out from taking these assessments. As the education system moves forward, the hope is to gain more in-depth data and knowledge that show student growth and learning in a variety of ways through our educators hard work.

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Citation: Blad, E. (2021, March 05). How two years of PANDEMIC disruption could shake up the debate over standardized testing. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-two-years-of-pandemic-disruption-could-shake-up-the-debate-over-standardized-testing/2021/03

Link: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-two-years-of-pandemic-disruption-could-shake-up-the-debate-over-standardized-testing/2021/03

Summary:

The U.S. Department of Education will not be offering waivers to states from giving state assessments after Covid-19. States have a variety of responses to this response. State views range from wanting to push the test back till the fall after being virtual to moving forward with the test to gain data.

The data collected from state assessments is crucial to track students and their growth. Some educators fear that if we do not have two years of data, how can we truly assess what students will need moving forward.

Parents will have to opportunity to opt their child out of state testing. This has been an option in the past, but with the wide-spread knowledge, it will greatly increase the number of students who will not take the assessments.

Within the guidance released by administration, not all schools will be giving the assessment under the same requirements. This could cause a further problem with data and analyzation.

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Citation: Modan, N. (2020, August 12). The value of assessment in an uncertain school year. K. https://www.k12dive.com/news/accelerate-dont-remediate-the-value-of-assessment-in-an-uncertain-school/583230/.

Link: https://www.k12dive.com/news/accelerate-dont-remediate-the-value-of-assessment-in-an-uncertain-school/583230/

Summary:

Some educators believe that going forward with state standardized testing after Covid-19 could be beneficial for students. The data collected from testing could help identify what the students are missing and what gaps they need closed to move forward.

Other educators do not believe the state testing will be beneficial. Educators have suggested ideas such as diagnostic assessments to help current planning for students.

Teachers need to teach grade-level material first, then worry about the state assessments later. The teaching will allow the teachers to see large gaps and missing information, then use that to create data-driven instruction and planned intervention.

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Slide #6: Original Law

Source of Law: Administrative Law
Citation: H.B. 3906, 86th Leg. (2019)

Link: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/student-assessment-overview/house-bill-3906

Summary: House Bill 3906 brought many changes to the standardized testing in the state of Texas.

With the passing of the new house bill, an Educator Advisory Committee was created to work directly with TEA on ensuring the state testing is developmentally and academically appropriate.

Multi-part assessments, eliminating stand-alone writing test and incorporating electronic administrations

These major changes are a few highlighted in the passing of House Bill 3906 is 2019 by Governor Abbott.

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Source of Law: Statutory Law

Citation: (Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015), 20 USC § 6301 (2015)

Link: https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ95/PLAW-114publ95.pdf

Summary:

All states must have annual tests in language arts and writing, adding science assessments  in a minimum of three times

Effective in all public schools to give states a voice in their standardized testing

Allow for data to be interpreted and analyzed in a variety of forms (gender, race, disability)

Must withhold high expectations to prepare students for careers and college

Student progress in heavily monitored

Ensures equal opportunities for all students

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Citation: Lubbock-Cooper ISD (2020). Student Handbook.

Link: https://4.files.edl.io/c234/11/16/20/164619-3831d102-2c6b-4e4a-a647-aa43118f5928.pdf

Summary: Lubbock-Cooper ISD will ensure all enrolled students will take the appropriate state mandated test. Students must perform successfully to be promoted to the next grade level. The handbook clearly defines the state-mandated assessments and the importance of assessing all students with the appropriate test.

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Citation: Texas Administrative Code. https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=Y.

Link: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=Y

Ethical Standard: (G) Standard 1.7 “The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.”

Connection: As an educator in Texas you are legally responsible to follow all state regulations, as well as local policies. The state of Texas requires all students take the STAAR test, so therefore all teachers must adhere and assess students with the state mandated test once a year. In the case that an educator or administrator chose not to follow this requirement, many consequences could follow.

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Source of Law: Administrative Law

Citation: Texas Administrative Code §101.3 (2002)

Link: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=101&rl=3

Summary:

Shows achievement and growth for all students

Aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and tested appropriately

Reliable and valid test taking precautions

Reported appropriately and legally

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Citation: Impact. Texas Business Leadership Council. http://www.txblc.org/category/research/page/2/.

Link: http://www.txblc.org/category/research/page/2/

Summary: The Texas Business Leadership Council (TBLC) offers both the benefits and drawbacks of a state testing system. While some educators fear we spend too much time testing, in actually equates to less than three days of our school year. Yet many local districts choose other measures to help prepare prior to the test that could also be seen as taking too much time away from learning. Another large concern is the high stakes of the state mandated testing. Although if the school districts and students were not held accountable to this high standard, there would be no benefit or reward to excelling on standardized assessments. The TBLC offers both stand points from the standardized testing view and provides facts for readers to make professional decisions.

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Source of Law: Judicial Law

Citation: (GI Forum v. Texas Education Agency, 2000)

Link: https://casetext.com/case/gi-forum-v-texas-education-agency-wdtex-2000

Summary: The issue was brought to the court discussing if the standardized state testing, which was TAAS at the time, was unfair to minorities

All students are expected to meet state requirements on standardized testing prior to graduating

Violates due process for minority students

It is concluded that the state’s policies are in the best interest for the students of Texas

Policies and requirements were not found to be unconstitutional and students are assessed fairly

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All public school districts must assess students with the standardized test adopted by the state. In Texas, STAAR is the adopted state assessment form that must be given to all students in grades 3-8.

As educators, we must ensure all students are students are being taught the state objectives. Teachers should not teach to the assessment, but instead teach the curriculum and the state assessment will follow the standards.

The state should create a plan for to ensure all testing policies and procedures are the same throughout the state and implemented strictly. The plan created should consider all students being tested in a variety of settings and conditions.

Schools should create a calm and productive testing environment. Testing environments should be quiet and positive. The environment should encourage the student to do their best and be comfortable.

All educators and administrators must be properly trained prior to administering the state assessment each year. Training should promote honesty and certify all teachers will carry out the procedures outlined.

After the completion of the state assessment, the data will be analyzed by many different individuals and departments. The data will be posted to ensure accountability between all school districts. The state will use the data to properly fund schools, assign delegations, and delegate intervention and closures, if necessary.

Parents should be involved and knowledge about their child’s position in the state testing. Parents should be informed of their child’s performance compared to grade-level peers learning the same curriculum across the state.

All educators have legal responsibilities to administrating state assessments. The Educator Code of Ethics must be followed with fidelity and honesty. If an educator does not follow the legal obligations outlined, one could lose their license and face legal follow up.