Teachers Union Urge Major Changes To School Accountability System

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Teacher unions are renewing calls for Texas to de-emphasize high-stakes testing educators blast as commanding too much classroom attention.

The state’s four teachers unions are pressing for major reforms to school accountability measures. Their pleas come as leaders of a special state panel indicate that changes are coming to the school accountability system when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Union officials testified before the Select Committee on Public School Accountability. They said the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills monopolizes classroom instruction and swallows the time teachers have to work with students.

The 15-member select committee, made up of lawmakers and residents, will make recommendations to the Legislature before the next session. Senator Florence Shapiro chairs the state Senate education committee.

The Plano Republican says the system needs to be “recharged.” The system annually rates campus and district performance based on test scores and graduation rates.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)