Issue Position: Accountability and Standardized Testing

Issue Position

The current system of assessing the progress of Texas schoolchildren (TAKS and now STAAR) is not working. Instead of giving teachers the freedom to create a productive learning environment, it creates a "teach to the test" mentality, which frustrates teachers and hinders individual learning.

I support a testing system that makes sure minimal standards of knowledge and skills are being taught, but not so much as to stifle individual learning for the student or creativity on the part of the teacher.

Each child is unique and every teacher should be allowed to develop that child's God-given attributes and abilities. One size does not fit all when it comes to educating children, and the growth of each child is measured by their progress as learners.

Accountability should be based upon the relative improvement of each particular child over the course of that particular school year.

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