Education Commissioner: Fewer STAAR Exams Coming

By: AP

Posted: Tue 6:00 PM, Feb 12, 2013

The state's highest ranking public education official acknowledges that the Legislature is likely to slash the number of standardized tests high school students have to pass for graduation.

The current testing regime known as STAAR features 15 core-subject exams. But that has caused an "over-testing" backlash.

Education Commissioner Michael Williams said Tuesday he expects lawmakers to have a "robust conversation" on reducing the number.

Indeed, many bills seek to do just that, or declare a moratorium on all testing.

Williams told the House Public Education Committee that by the time the legislative session ends in May "it won't be 15 tests." But he also said, "I would hope it's not two or three."

Williams added that "high-consequences tests" ensure focused classroom teaching, saying "what gets tested does indeed get taught."

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