A recent Burnet High School graduate. | https://www.burnetcisd.net/
The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (BCISD) has joined the chorus of groups asking that the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams be canceled for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the Lone Star State in the spring, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) canceled the standardized tests. But the TEA has placed STAAR tests back on the schedule for this upcoming academic year, leading to an outcry from legislators and others to set them aside.
The BCISD school board passed a resolution during a special meeting July 20, asking the TEA to consider the pressures of the upcoming school year and forego the exams once more. The board noted that President Trump had declared a national emergency March 13, and that Texas had immediately declared a statewide disaster as well.
Keith “Mac” McBurnett
| https://www.burnetcisd.net/
The scheduled STAAR tests were canceled March 18 and the following day, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all school districts closed.
The board also noted that academic growth accounts for 50% of an elementary or junior high campus’ Domain 3 score, which will have an adverse effect on overall accountability ratings for those campuses. In addition, 2020 graduates missed opportunities to earn TSI (Texas Success Initiative) points under CCMR (College, Career and Military Readiness) due to the cancellation of the spring and summer SAT test and the spring ACT test.
In addition, extended school closures reduce student achievement, especially in math. Reading also suffers, the board said.
The board also said exceptions for accountability had been made in the case of disasters in the past, such as Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Harvey.
“Additional adjustments to the educational process will be required to deal with social, emotional and physical needs of students when they return to school in whatever format that may be,” the board said. It also noted that “developing new accountability systems is a multiyear process that requires public comment,” and is usually phased in over multiple years. Making extreme adjustments on the fly is not recommended.
Burnet Superintendent Keith “Mac” McBurnett sent a letter to parents July 21 saying the district was asking the state not to hold the high-pressure tests and to cancel the school accountability rating system during the 2020-2021 school year.
“The board believes there is no way to implement a fair or equitable academic accountability system this school year, and that teachers, principals and staff need to have their sole focus on providing high-quality instruction while also supporting the social and emotional needs of our students during the pandemic,” McBurnett wrote.
McBurnett, who has worked in education for 26 years, is in his ninth year as the district’s superintendent.
The pandemic already has forced several changes for the school district, as it notes on its website. The Burnet CISD covers more than 700 square miles in the Texas Hill Country, serving 3,200 students at six campuses.
“The 2020-2021 school year will be unlike any school year we have experienced,” the board stated on its website. “While we will be diligent and thoughtful in our planning, we cannot anticipate all of the issues that will arise. As a learning organization, we are committed to being innovative, flexible and agile. This web page has been created to provide parents one place to go for important information related to the 2020-2021 school year.”
The 2020 school bond election was originally scheduled May 2. After Abbott issued a proclamation allowing political subdivisions to postpone their May 2 special elections to Nov. 3, it was rescheduled. Then, at the July 27 school board meeting, the bond election was canceled.
“Due to the many uncertainties that still exist related to COVID-19 for our community and Burnet CISD, the board of trustees and the administration feel canceling the bond election for now is the appropriate decision,” McBurnett said in a statement. “This upcoming school year will be like no other any of us have ever experienced, and all of our energies and resources will be focused on how to keep our students and staff safe while providing access to quality instruction for students either in-person or remotely.”
The district said it will continue “proactively planning for the future” and will study, review and discuss facility projects to accommodate enrollment growth, address school safety and enhance students’ educational experience.
While the bond election was canceled, the trustee election will, as mandated by state law, proceed Nov. 3 with two seats up for election.
McBurnett and school board members did not respond to repeated attempts for comment.
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