Texas schools need accountability but not high stakes testing

In the Austin American Statesman the editorial board elaborates on the plans by legislators to make some changes to the current Texas school’s accountability system. The issue is that “Texas schools need accountability but not high stakes testing” as the editorial is titled which states the authors main argument. The authors claim is that Texas does need to make changes to the current schools accountability system which will not sacrifice accountability while still preparing students for college and the work force.

The audience of this author is a a general audience non academic with some but not much knowledge about the current accountability system for schools in Texas. I concluded this because the author provides enough background information to allow the reader to understand the specific problem being addressed. In this case on of the problem with the current system is that it is too punitive. It punishes students for not meeting states standards on the TAKS test by not allowing students to advance or pass to the next grade level. The current system also is not broad enough to include teaching students skills needed for today's work place.

The author of this editorial presents the facts in an organized manner which makes it easier to read and gives the argument more clarity. First the author acknowledges the systems accomplishments, then focuses on the problems it has caused and finally gives the proposed solution by legislators. The author also provides evidence by referencing people like senators and verifiable records such as students performance. Also giving information through different point of views and not just one makes the argument more credible and less biased. Another strategy that makes this editorial convincing is the values that underlie the argument which are logic, for example pointing out how the system of ignores student progress.

I personally strongly agree with this plan to change the school's accountability system. I have seen how students suffer and stress about the TAKS exam. I hope this takes place soon because in the mean time smart students are being held back affecting their emotional and social development. I think it is a good idea to test for performance but not to use the results to prohibit a student from advancing to the next grade level. I was not aware of the fact that the graduation requirements were not actually preparing students with skills for the changing work place. Overall this author was very convincing and had enough evidence to support his argument.

How do you think the federal stimulus money should be spent in Texas? This article by April Castro explains how governor Perry is skeptical about accepting these funds because the state would have to expand government programs and according to this article Perry believes this will bring economic problems and the state will have to deal with this alone. Castro states that legislators are urging Perry to accept the funds. The article implies a controversy on the need of these funds for unemployment benefits and the rush to spend the money by the Texas Transportation Commission. The article states some critics think the government should really think about the best way to spend funds. I think this article is worth reading because these funds are a tremendous help specially for unemployment beneficiaries as a stimulus for now but can affect our pockets in the future in a negative way, one example is toll roads. Overall I think governor Perry needs to accept the stimulus considering the nation's economic state.