Only on ABC-7: Proximity of state- and district-mandated tests overwhelm students, teachers say

With the spring semester underway, students are gearing up for another busy couple of months of testing, but are students being tasked with one too many tests?

Sandy Banales is a math teacher at Ross Middle School. She told ABC-7 just weeks into the semester and students are already overwhelmed.

“The first semester isn’t as rigorous as the second semester regarding exam after exam after exam,” Sandy Banales said. “We’ve already had the REN360, district, mid-semester exam, the benchmark, and then just regular exams and they’re already burnt.”

In a memo sent to some EPISD teachers, the district’s Strategy, Accountability and Assessment Department reminds them about upcoming testing dates, telling teachers “Be mindful of district benchmark tests that are coming,” adding, “Don’t burn your kids out with testing.”

“We are within the policy and the state requirements for assessments. So, the state says you can pull out a student for up to 10 percent, 18 days of the school year, we’re at about 15,” EPISD spokeswoman Melissa Martinez said.

Martinez said the district has no control of the state-mandated STAAR test which is taken in the spring, but they do have control of district-mandated tests like the formative exams and “Renaissance 360.”

Martinez said the district gives campuses a window to take the tests so they can plan accordingly.

“The state testings are set and we work around those so that we’re not overwhelming our students with a lot of testing,” Martinez said.

Despite the criticism, the district says their tests are helpful because they determine what areas students may need help with.

“We’re focused on that personalized learning for each student and help them where they’re at,” Martinez said.

Banales agrees some tests do help measure progress, but says not all are necessary. She believes eliminating some would help ease the pressure off students who feel like they’re bombarded at school.

“I feel for the kids, it’s like, what more do you want from them to be successful? As long as they’re learning, they’re successful,” Banales said.

Martinez tells ABC-7 principals at each school have been given a survey for their opinions on what works and what doesn’t. The input will be given to administration and to the board for consideration.