As the big test gets closer and closer, the number of concerned voices are getting bigger and bigger.
"Seems to be quite an uproar out there. It's a very difficult test, it's a new kind of test, it is delivered in a different format," said Mike Sullivan, executive director of Sylvan Learning Center.
He's talking about the STAAR test. And the recently changed exam has parents and teachers concerned.
"What the state has done has simultaneously introduced what is arguably the most difficult accountability test they've ever required to administer and at the same time, they have cut funding," said Sullivan.
That means there are less resources available for the schools to accomplish a more difficult task. And while the sylvan learning center says that they have not seen an uptick in people registering for their services, they are expecting more and more phone calls.
"As we get closer and closer to STAAR time, there are parents that are anxious," explained Sullivan. "They see that their children are not passing benchmark tests or they aren't doing well in school. So they may call us with the idea being that they want help on that specific test."
Though they don't tutor students for that one test specifically, they say that it isn't the test that is the problem.
"It's a good test. And it helps our kids reach a higher level of performance. But the way in which the test is being presented, and the time that's being allowed, and cutting resources that would help school districts prepare students for that, that's what's causing the problem."
"Seems to be quite an uproar out there. It's a very difficult test, it's a new kind of test, it is delivered in a different format," said Mike Sullivan, executive director of Sylvan Learning Center.
He's talking about the STAAR test. And the recently changed exam has parents and teachers concerned.
"What the state has done has simultaneously introduced what is arguably the most difficult accountability test they've ever required to administer and at the same time, they have cut funding," said Sullivan.
That means there are less resources available for the schools to accomplish a more difficult task. And while the sylvan learning center says that they have not seen an uptick in people registering for their services, they are expecting more and more phone calls.
"As we get closer and closer to STAAR time, there are parents that are anxious," explained Sullivan. "They see that their children are not passing benchmark tests or they aren't doing well in school. So they may call us with the idea being that they want help on that specific test."
Though they don't tutor students for that one test specifically, they say that it isn't the test that is the problem.
"It's a good test. And it helps our kids reach a higher level of performance. But the way in which the test is being presented, and the time that's being allowed, and cutting resources that would help school districts prepare students for that, that's what's causing the problem."
