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Big Changes in Texas Standardized Testing

TEXAS -- Standardized testing has been the norm for students for many years. But in Texas, students are about to see a big change in the way they're tested.

"The main focus of STAAR is we're going to see an increase in the rigor, and so our preparation really began in the summer," said Shonda Cannon, Denison ISD's Curriculum Director.

The Texas State Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR test will replace the TAKS test. Not only do educators believe it will be harder, a new four hour time limit poses a challenge for teachers.

"That's a major concern of our teachers, I think- teaching a recognition of what four hours feels like," said Cannon

Many parents have criticized standardized tests, saying the curriculum is bent to fit the test and that ignores students who might not go to college.  Robert Mears is the director of testing. He says this test still serves the career-ready student.

"No matter what you do in school- no matter what job you get, whether it's a job you get after college or a job right out of high school, depending on what you do, there are going to be tests all your life," Mears said.

The district has faith in their teachers, regardless of how the state measures their success.

"That's the goal- we think that with increased accountability, teachers will magically do a better job. I disagree with that. I think that our teachers, whether we were held accountable by the state or not, would do the same job they do every day in the classroom, " said Cannon.

But the state hasn't released a set of standards, so schools don't know how well they're supposed to do.

"All we can do is prepare for what we know," Mears said.

So teachers will go to the task of preparing each student for the next step in their lives, whatever that may be.