The State Board of Education heard an update during their meeting on Tuesday, April 5 regarding TEA's progress on HB 743 (84th R). As a part of HB 743 the Texas Education Agency has released two reports. The first part of a report, the Independent Evaluation of the Validity and Reliability of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Assessments in grades 3-8 is currently published on the TEA site and contains the evaluation of STAAR assessments for grades 5 and 8 mathematics and reading, and grades 4 and 7 writing. Part II of the report, due May 2016, will include the remaining assessments administered in grades 3-8. Additionally, the TEA has released a 100 page report, the Study of Essential Knowledge and Skills and Assessment Instruments.
During the meeting TEA noted that funds were not appropriated for the reports during the 84th which impacted the agency's ability to complete the reports in the required time frame. SBOE members stated they needed further time to review the reports before they can make the requested recommendations to the Texas Legislature. They are expected to revisit the reports at their next quarterly meeting.