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Saturday, January 13, 2007

ATPE Survey Shows Deep Dissatisfaction Over TAKS

According to the Quorum Report, ATPE parents and teacher prefer Multiple Criteria. Might they mean State Rep. Dora Olivo's bills.-Angela

Legislative Update
1-12-07 ATPE releases TAKS study

ATPE held a press conference at the Texas State Capitol Thursday to release the findings of a study commissioned by ATPE that examines the perceptions of teachers and parents regarding the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test.

The key findings of the study are:

• The TAKS does not provide an accurate assessment of a student’s academic level.
• The TAKS has resulted in a narrowing of the curriculum.
• Teachers are being forced to teach to the test rather than to the broader curriculum.
• The TAKS creates undue anxiety and stress on students, especially at the elementary-school level.

The study also includes ATPE’s recommendations for devising a system that reduces the high-stakes nature of the current accountability system and allows teachers to diagnose students’ knowledge base and that assesses their ability to acquire and apply learning through formative assessments and demonstrate skills and knowledge on a summative assessment.

Even before the session began Jan. 9, there was discussion among education and legislative circles regarding the need to revise the current accountability system. ATPE will work to encourage the Legislature to include meaningful input from educators when making decisions on this issue.

For more information, contact ATPE Governmental Relations.

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