Statewide survey reveals overwhelming support for standardized testing
to assess students’ knowledge and hold schools accountable for student
success.
AUSTIN, Texas – September 17, 2002 – Education is the foremost issue
in the minds of Texas adults, who agree that strong schools are
key to maintaining a strong state, according to a new survey commissioned
by the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation (TPERF). The participants
in the survey overwhelmingly favor standardized testing to provide
a statewide standard for assessing students’ knowledge and school
performance.
Fifty-seven percent of Texas adults named education as the most
important issue for the state legislature to address, over healthcare,
the economy, crime and taxes. Sixty-four percent of the survey participants
favored Texas public schools administering a standardized test.
More than nine out of 10 people surveyed said that standardized
testing is an effective way to identify students’ problem areas
and points of strength as early as possible to give students the
help they need to be ready for the next grade. Eighty-two percent
say that students should not be promoted to the next grade unless
they have the necessary knowledge and skills.
More than half of Texas adults say that the state’s public schools
have improved as a result of rigorous standardized testing.
“The results of this survey are clear: Texans are saying don’t mess
with testing,” said David Russell, TPERF board member and spokesman.
“Texans believe the success of our students is closely linked with
the success of our state, and they overwhelmingly agree that standardized
testing – and the new TAKS exam – will help our children get the
knowledge they need to suceed in school and also in life.”
The survey of 808 randomly selected Texas adults was conducted August
4 through 6 and has a margin for error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
Additionally, 78 percent of Texas adults say they favor a standardized
testing program like the new Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
(TAKS) exam, which measures students’ knowledge and skills instead
of just what they can simply memorize. The TAKS test replaces the
current Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) exam as the statewide
assessment tool in the 2003 school year.
Other key findings from the survey include:
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More than nine out of 10 Texas adults agree that in order for
Texas to be strong, we need stronger schools
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The number of supporters of standardized testing increased
from 64 to 71 percent after survey participants learned more about
the TAKS test
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Eight out of 10 agree with the state’s plan to continue its
testing and accountability program by using the TAKS test to make
sure all children have the skills and knowledge to handle subject
matter in the next grade
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More than three-quarters say that it is smart to use
standardized testing to measure school performance and hold
schools accountable
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At the time of the survey, half of Texas adults had not heard
or seen any information about the TAKS test
“The TAKS test gives Texas teachers a better tool to gauge what
students are learning and ensure that every child has the knowledge
and skills he or she needs to succeed in an increasingly competitive
world,” said Gayle Fallon, president of the Houston Federation of
Teachers. “Children will take tests their entire lives. The thing I
like about the TAKS test is you simply can't teach to it. However,
if you teach the curriculum, the TAKS test will take care of itself.
This means teachers can get back to teaching.”
TPERF commissioned the survey in order to gauge the level of public
support for continued education reform, specifically the measures of
accountability and assessment.
"A majority of Texans agree with the course of education reform and
strongly believe we should continue it. In Texas, we've done a good
job, but the job's not done," Russell said. "While most people
believe we've come a long way in improving our schools, we can
clearly do a better job of explaining the TAKS test and making
people aware of how Texas education rates compared to other states."
“The survey results validate the Texas public education reform
movement, which has been improving the quality of education for our
students for nearly 20 years,” said Vidal Martinez, chairman of
TPERF. “The overwhelming support Texans have given standardized
testing and accountability standards shows that we need to continue
moving forward to make Texas schools and students the best in the
nation.”
According to Just For The Kids President and CEO Brad Duggan, the
high level of public support for testing is reflective of Texas’
standing nationally. “The improvement in our schools is validated by
looking at national assessment exams, which are given to students in
all states. Texas students are some of the highest performing in
reading, mathematics and writing, and Texas is always in the top
tier of states across all demographic lines,” said Duggan. Just for
the Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising academic
standards and increasing student achievement in public schools.
About The Texas Public Education Reform Foundation
The Texas Public Education Reform Foundation (TPERF) is a non-profit
501©3 corporation formed in 2001 to advance the cause of education
reform in Texas. TPERF is committed to meeting every Texas child’s
need for the best and highest quality of education possible so that
upon graduation, they will be prepared for higher education and
productive citizenship. More information about TPERF is located at
http://www.tperf.org.
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