Legal Guide: Required Testing in Schools by Abbey Sykes https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6 EDG 6305: Legal & Ethical Principles en-us 2020-09-22 18:20:56 UTC 2020-09-26 02:31:56 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4c3.png Slide #1: Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769618094
I am currently a middle school teacher pursuing a degree in counseling. My audience would be K-12 teachers. I chose this topic because it has been a controversial topic for several years all across the United States.]]> 2020-09-22 18:39:29 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769618094 Slide #2: Summary of Topic abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769619237 This legal guide summary is important in my field of education because it has been a widely talked about topic for many years. Students are often stressed about upcoming tests and teachers feel stress as well. Teachers are often evaluated based on students' test scores. There are numerous factors that affect how a student may score.

Currently, state testing has been placed on hold due to COVID-19. The STAAR test was cancelled during this past school year and many teachers are awaiting the decision from TEA in regards to this school year. Without last year's test results, teachers and administrators were unable to monitor student progress, thus allowing all students to be passed to the next grade. This has caused learning gaps for the current school year.


]]> 2020-09-22 18:39:45 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769619237 Slide #3: Professional Association abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769628048 Summary: The article discusses concerns that parents and educators have in regards to state testing. This article reports on decisions made in 2015 to limit the use of state testing and to lower the weight of student test scores on teacher evaluations. A new bill was also passed to increase instructional time in the classroom.


Citation:
Rosales, J. (2015, May 26). Educators and Parents Demand Less Testing … and Lawmakers Listen | NEA. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/educators-and-parents-demand-less-testing-and-lawmakers-listen 
]]> 2020-09-22 18:41:48 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769628048 Slide #4: Current News Articles (three years or earlier) abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769632835
  • Rick Hess states that state testing should be waived all together for the 2020 school year.
  • It is hard to administer state tests properly when many students are working online.
  • State tests should be the least of parents, students and teachers' worries during a pandemic.

    • Citation:
    Hess, R. (2020, March 17). Secretary DeVos, It’s Time to Scratch the 2020 State Tests. Education Week - Rick Hess Straight Up. https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rick_hess_straight_up/2020/03/secretary_devos_its_time_to_scratch_the_2020_state_tests.html
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:42:54 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769632835     Slide #5: Current News Articles (three years or earlier) abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769633476
  • Teachers are the ones responsible for educating students, however, they are not involved in creating the state tests.
  • Students cannot be classified into the same box; each child is different.
  • Educational systems need to re-evaluate how students are being assessed.

    • Citation:
    Sackstein, S. (2018, May 3). State Tests Do Not Assess Student Learning. Education Week - Work in Progress. https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/work_in_progress/2018/04/state_tests_do_not_assess_stud.html 
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:43:03 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769633476     Slide #6: Original Sources of Law abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769634927 House Bill (HB) 3906
    Statutory

    • This bill expands on input from educators about assessments and administrations and provides for flexibility for campuses.
    • Provides a transition to online tests
    • Implements an Educator Advisory Committee
    • Provides stand alone writing exams

    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:43:25 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769634927     Slide #7: Original Sources of Law abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769635849 Elementary and Secondary Education Act
    Statutory
    United States. (1965). Elementary and secondary education act of 1965 : H. R.
    2362, 89th Cong., 1st sess., Public law 89-10. Reports, bills, debate and act.
    [Washington] :[U.S. Govt. Print. Off.]


    • Authorizes state-run programs to raise academic-achievement from struggling learners.
    • Shows a long standing committee to an equal opportunity for all students, regardless of disability, poverty, or English language learners.
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:43:40 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769635849     Slide #8: Original Sources of Law abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769636656 Doe vs. Antioch
    Statutory
    Doe v. Antioch Unified School District (Super.Ct. Contra Costa County, 2016, No. MSN15-1127.

    • Case ruled that standardized tests do not have to be used in teacher evaluations
    • Examined the text of Education Code section 44662(b)(1)
    • Requires the use of "objective evaluation and assessment guidelines" in teacher evaluations
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:43:51 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769636656     Slide #9: Original Sources of Law abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769637146 Every Student Succeeds Act
    Statutory
    Every Student Succeeds Act, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 (2015)

    • Original bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
    • This provided modified assessments for students with severe cognitive disabilities
    • Option for testing through-out the year instead of the end-of-year exams 
    • Allows the districts to use SAT and ACT scores instead of high-school exams
    129 STAT. 2021 
    "early-phase grants to fund the development,
    implementation, and feasibility testing of a program, which
    prior research suggests has promise, for the purpose of
    determining whether the program can successfully improve
    student achievement or attainment for high-need students"
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:43:58 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769637146     Slide #10: Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769655600 Waller ISD
    Student Handbook:     provides information regarding testing and accommodations for
    students with disabilities.
    • Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Waller ISD is also allowing online testing for students who have opted to stay home. They are required to log onto a ZOOM session with their teacher and must show their faces for the entirety of the test.
    Waller Independent School District Student Handbook. 2019. Pamphlet. Waller, TX
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:48:25 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769655600     Slide #11: Ethical Principle abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769657906 A.13. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation
    School counselors:
    a. Use only valid and reliable tests and assessments with concern
    for bias and cultural sensitivity.
    b. Adhere to all professional standards when selecting, administering and interpreting assessment measures and only utilize
    assessment measures that are within the scope of practice for
    school counselors and for which they are licensed, certified and
    competent.

    Citation:
    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

    This code relates to the topic because it discusses the use of valid and reliable tests. Test scores during a pandemic are not reliable as the students had a large gap between schooling from the month of March to the month of August.]]>     2020-09-22 18:49:00 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769657906     Slide #12: Non-Law Source abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769659331

    Essentials of Testing and Assessment: A Practical Guide for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists, Enhanced 3rd Edition


    Citation:
    Neukrug, E. S., & Fawcett, C. R. (2019). Essentials of Testing and Assessment: A Practical Guide for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists, Enhanced (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.

    This book provides concepts and applications of assessment and testing for counselors. It also provides exercises and activities to increase understanding.
    ]]>     2020-09-22 18:49:22 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769659331     Slide #13: Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance abbeysykes1 https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769660719
  • Standardized testing does not have to be used in teacher evaluations.
  • State testing was placed on hold during that 2018-2019 school year and therefore did not provide information in regards to student progress.
  • School counselors are to use only valid and reliable tests to assess students.
  • All tests must use concern for cultural sensitivity among students and bias.
  • Counselors are to only utilize testing duties within their scope of practice.

    • ]]>     2020-09-22 18:49:44 UTC https://padlet.com/abbeysykes1/aybmsvfczqaygqp6/wish/769660719