Superintendents Publicly Criticize State Testing

DALLAS (AP) � Several Texas superintendents, some from East Texas, are publicly criticizing the state’s standardized testing system in advance of the upcoming release of score results. Paul Jones, superintendent of the Paris school district says in a recent letter to parents that the tests known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness are “punitive.” He criticizes a “one-size-fits-all” system. The Dallas Morning News reports superintendents in Longview and Van and the Dallas suburb of Coppell also recently sent letters to parents critical of the mandatory testing. Statewide STAAR results for grades three through eight are scheduled to be released next week. Critics of the assessments have argued that preparing for STAAR, including a concentration on test-taking strategy, has hurt classroom teaching.