Saturday, May 25, 2013

School Board Advocacy Network urges legislators to reduce high-stakes testing in grades 3-8 - pass HB 2836

Reduce Emphasis on High-Stakes Testing in Grades 3-8
 
"With just over 24 hours left for legislators to pass bills, those not heard before midnight on Sunday will die. House Bill 2836 by Rep. Bennett Ratliff (R-Coppell) is currently in conference committee and will go before the full Senate and House for passage on Sunday.

House Bill 2836 focuses solely on testing in grades 3-8. Call your legislator and urge them to support the bill with the following provisions:
  • Reduce the length of tests to 120 minutes in grades 3-5, 180 minutes in grades 5-8,with no time limit for struggling learners;
  • Refine tests to include readiness standards only for accountability purposes, supporting standards for diagnostic purposes only;
  • Include revisions for STARR-Alt tests to be provided by the State and not teachers; and
  • Require the length, scope and assessment of TEKS be studied.
Contact Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the following conference committee members to urge their support for HB 2836."

Senate Conferees:

Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston), 512-463-0107

Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), 512-463-0128

Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands), 512-463-0104                        

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio), 512-463-0126

Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo), 512-463-0131

House:
Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston), 512-463-0520

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston), 512-463-0554

Rep. John Kuempel (R-Seguin), 512-463-0602

Rep. Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown), 512-463-0309"