Automated Grading Controversy: TEA’s Shift to AI-Assessed Tests Sparks Concerns for Texas Schools
Hello SAISD Parents and San Antonio Community,
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) revamped its public school assessment methods in December 2023, crucially shifting STAAR tests online with an emphasis on essay questions and introducing an automated grading system to save millions. This move eliminated human grading for essays, relying on a program trained with previously human-graded essays and rubrics. Complex essays may still be reviewed by humans. Despite the financial savings, the transition has led to widespread confusion and issues, notably an increase in students receiving zeros. This situation has sparked concern among school districts about potential impacts on students’ futures, including college prospects.
Critics argue the automated system is unfair to both students and teachers, forcing them to adapt to new curricula with little notice. The Texas School Alliance highlighted a lack of communication about these changes. In response to the zero-grade dilemma, TEA offered school testing coordinators the chance to learn more about the zero scores but restricted access to test questions and grading rubrics due to security concerns. This approach has been criticized for its limited usefulness in addressing the grading controversies.
The controversy extends to the broader implications of relying on artificial intelligence (AI) in education, questioning if the focus is shifting towards teaching humans to work with AI, rather than the other way around. This shift, coupled with the opaque communication from TEA, has left many teachers disillusioned, with a survey indicating 70% are considering leaving their profession. The situation calls for a reevaluation of TEA’s testing and grading methods to better support students and teachers, underscoring the need for transparency and effective communication in implementing new technologies in education.
If anyone would like to see the changes made, they can go to the TEA Website at https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/assessment-initiatives/staar-redesign. When you go there, you can watch a video and click on the new questions and other information about the latest tests. Parents, some information we can’t see because we need be a teacher or school employee to gain access.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please email lena.lopez@observer.com.
Have a Blessed Week,
Lena Lopez
