Abilene ISD Chooses To Defer 15% Rule For STAAR Test
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: February 28, 2012
"In years past, a ninth grade test didn't have the same meaning as the ninth grade EOC," explains Dr. Cathy Ashby, the Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Abilene ISD.
The STAAR test, something that has attracted the attention of students, parents, and teachers alike.
Ashby continues, "I don't think our students and our parents, despite our best efforts really understood the 15% rule because it's a new test and a new rule and it was all happening in the same school year."
Which is why AISD formed a teacher committee comprised of 24 teachers from the district to study the STAAR test and the ramifications of the 15% rule.
"At this time the committee was unanimous in its thought that the best thing to do was defer for one year, the 15% rule," Ashby reveals.
Students who were worried about the test affecting their overall grade can relax, but just for a little while.
"We feel like we want our teachers to assign the classroom grades for our students and not have any interference from the state level," says Ashby.
The 15% rule is in place for next year, but there is always the possibility of legislative action changing that.
Ashby says, "We will continue to communicate with our parents about this change so that they fully understand it, and also to our students, the importance of them taking the test very seriously."
The STAAR test, something that has attracted the attention of students, parents, and teachers alike.
Ashby continues, "I don't think our students and our parents, despite our best efforts really understood the 15% rule because it's a new test and a new rule and it was all happening in the same school year."
Which is why AISD formed a teacher committee comprised of 24 teachers from the district to study the STAAR test and the ramifications of the 15% rule.
"At this time the committee was unanimous in its thought that the best thing to do was defer for one year, the 15% rule," Ashby reveals.
Students who were worried about the test affecting their overall grade can relax, but just for a little while.
"We feel like we want our teachers to assign the classroom grades for our students and not have any interference from the state level," says Ashby.
The 15% rule is in place for next year, but there is always the possibility of legislative action changing that.
Ashby says, "We will continue to communicate with our parents about this change so that they fully understand it, and also to our students, the importance of them taking the test very seriously."
