Cold weather, pandemic and testing challenge SAISD
This past weekend many of the children in our small neighborhood were building snowmen and having snowball fights, which seemed to bring them some joy. It’s the first time during this pandemic that our families found some joy while playing outside. After all the fun is over, don’t forget to help all our kids get on their computers and make up some work if they need to because the progress reports will be out soon.
The good news is that our children who are still at home learning via zoom in the 3rd-8th grades will not have to return to school to take the STARR’S testing. Parent’s this year; TEA gives you the option to opt-out for all of your children in these grades. The bad news is that all of our 9th-12th graders will have to return to their home campus to take the STARR tests.
The TEA Commissioner Mike Morath made this statement last week, but in my opinion, it seems a little unfair to our high school kids. When you’re in the 9th-grade students, have to take English 1, Biology, and Algebra 1. Then our 10th-grade students have to take English 2 and retake any tests they didn’t pass in their freshman year. The students in 11th grade will have to take the U.S History test and any other tests they have failed, so basically, high school students are tormented with a plague of non-stop testing.
All seniors must pass at least 3 out of 5 to graduate this year. Parents, you will need to request an “IGC” or Individual Graduation Committee meeting. This is under SB 213, which was passed last year as a replacement for SB149. This meeting will happen close to graduation and after your child has taken whatever tests they failed. This process will include your child having to complete some curriculum to prove they understand the subject they failed. This is an unfair process for all kids because these tests don’t help them with college or the workforce.
During this pandemic, I feel that this shouldn’t be a priority, but Governor Abbott has no plans to ask for any federal waivers to stop this year’s tests. Now our SAISD state Rep. Diego Bernal has written a letter to our Governor and Morath to ask that they find a way to stop the test this year. Bernal also able to get over 60 other representatives to sign it for both parties. Yet, it seems no matter how hard Bernal fights to stop the testing, Morath feels that these tests will give our teachers a better idea of where our children are academically. The bigger question is when will TEA will realize that these standardized tests aren’t doing anything but causing our students to suffer from test anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Our teachers are often required to come in early and stay late to get our kids ready for these tests. It is hard to see our children who are passing all their classes struggle through these tests.
Parents, please remember that we need to be the voice for all of our children. Please stay safe and warm and know that we will get through this school year. I know it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I promise we will see it this year. Teachers and staff know that we genuinely appreciate all your hard work and dedication as a community.
Have a Blessed Week, Lena Lopez
