Star-Telegram
Editorial
September 2014

Recently, Education Commissioner Michael Williams suspended for one year the requirement for fifth- and eighth-grade students to pass the math portion of the STAAR exam before advancing to the next grade level. This move raised questions across the state as to why this was necessary.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) did not determine how the new math standards will be tested on the fifth- and eighth-grade STAAR math tests until spring 2014. Since these standards were late in being released, and the changes were significant, districts are now having to rewrite curriculum to address the changes and identify and purchase required resources to prepare students for these more rigorous standards. For example, in Birdville ISD, $138,000 was spent on graphing calculators required by the state for testing of eighth-grade students, and an additional $50,000 for math resources due to changes in the fifth-grade math curriculum. In addition to resources, substantial professional development for staff is required to completely implement the new math curriculum.

Given the timeline, the commission’s decision to suspend the required passing of the math portion of the STAAR for fifth- and eighth-grade students is appropriate. By suspending the passing standard for one year, school districts across the state are given time to develop appropriate curriculum, identify aligned resources, and provide necessary professional learning so that students are prepared to be successful.

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Birdville ISD