Rep. Bowers: Set STAAR tests aside for 2020-21

The Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams are high-pressure, standardized tests that are not necessary this upcoming school year, according to state Rep. Rhetta Bowers (D-Rowlett). 

In fact, she argues, they could do harm to students who are preparing for classes in an environment unlike any they have experienced. The STAAR tests were not administered in the spring but the Texas Education Agency has placed the tests on the schedule for the 2020-21 school year.

“This year should be focused on meeting the needs of students, families, teachers, schools and communities; not teaching for a test,” Bowers told Education Daily Wire. “Our students, families, and teachers are moving into this school year and do not need the additional stress. Instead, teachers should be able to focus on teaching, while students focus on learning.”

A first-term Democrat who represents the 113th District, Bowers has a clear understanding of the educational process, having worked as a substitute teacher and PTA member in the Garland Independent School District. She has worked as a broadcast journalist, having earned a bachelor's degree in telecommunications after studies at Spelman College and Texas Southern University.

“Even though assessments are a good choice for measuring student progress, the STAAR is not a good measure on student gaps,” she said. “The tens of millions of dollars normally dedicated to administering these tests would be better utilized by redirecting those funds to make sure every COVID-19-precautionary measure is taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, families, teachers and everyone involved in the production of a successful school year’s lives are made a priority and are truly protected.”

In an op-ed she co-wrote with state Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas) and with state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) signing on as well, the legislators said youngsters are “facing emotional stress and educational barriers from the pandemic,” and the high-pressure, standardized tests will add to that.

There is sufficient evidence to prove that is the reality, they told Gov. Greg Abbott. Adding to that risk is that many children have limited access to physical and mental health facilities.

“Texas should join other states in requesting a waiver from 2020-21 standardized testing requirements from the U.S. Department of Education,” it stated. “Our children would be better served by redirecting the tens of millions of dollars spent on the STAAR test to pandemic-time necessities, such as the expansion of Internet access and support for school districts struggling to provide for students with learning disabilities.”

The waiver request would almost assuredly be approved, they said, as it was for the 2019-20 school year as the pandemic took hold.

“Hospitalizations are rapidly increasing, and many epidemiologists saying the virus will disrupt our lives for at least another year,” the op-ed stated.

In addition, they questioned the need for such exams this year.

“The STAAR test is not a diagnostic test. Administered at the end of the school year, it does not give teachers information they need to address gaps in a child’s education,” the legislators wrote. “Teachers and schools already have diagnostic tools to assist in curriculum planning. STAAR only ranks schools and students on content they should have learned under normal circumstances. These are not normal times. We know that students, through no fault of their own, have fallen behind. We should prioritize investments in educational support to keep children engaged and learning.”

Investing in broadband expansion will directly assist students as more districts plan for distance learning, they said.

“An estimated 2 million Texas households do not have high-speed Internet access,” the legislators wrote. “And Microsoft finds that 14.6 million Texans — roughly half the state’s population — do not use the internet at broadband-level speed. Texas can eliminate this major obstacle to education access by expanding broadband access to Texas families.

“The reality is that STAAR preparation and testing consumes a significant amount of this time. That time is more precious than ever, with teachers attempting novel strategies to keep students engaged and learning. “If our goal in public education is to ‘leave no child behind,’ Texas should, at minimum, make investments to help those who have an elevated risk of falling behind during this pandemic.”

Bowers was born in Houston. She and her husband John P. Bowers have two children. They live in Rowlett.