• TPERN Launches User Forums - Our Texans Take Action Against STAAR Facebook group with almost 17,000 users is a tremendous source of information and activity.  But it is also so busy that important topics get buried and finding them later is hard.  Group search is sometimes sketchy, and finding district specific information can be like a scavenger hunt.  To aid […]
  • TPERN Urges Comment Opposing Sub Assessment Rule - We know the TEA plans to make it harder for kids to use substitute assessments to graduate high school. This rule is the first step. Please read and send a comment to the TEA! We need to flood them to have a chance!!! HOW DO WE COMMENT? Go to the Web Address for Public Comment: […]
  • TPERN Condemns TEA Proposal On Substitute Assessments; Accuses Commissioner of Exceeding Authority - Today the Texas Education Agency proposes a rule[1] that would tell a high school student who has met the required passing scores on state approved nationally recognized assessment instruments that they are not entitled to a Texas High School Diploma unless they also submit to take a state created assessment for which they have no […]
  • Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius - Under the principle of Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius, accelerated instruction can never be considered an exception to 26.010, because the law presumes that all exceptions have been incorporated in the statute and unexpressed ones cannot be implied.
  • What About High School? (updated 2019) - A standard line amongst opt out activists is that you simply can't do it in high school.  But more and more Texas parents are proving that the opposite is true.  More and more Texas kids are finishing their Texas high schools without having taken some or all of the EOCS.  I go a step further.  I hold that, for a committed opt out parent, if you can put aside sentimentality and about $2.50 a week, you, and not the school, hold all the power.
  • STAAR Madness: TEA or Local Decisions - This is a tough time for Opt Out parents because the assessment is happening and there is a lot of pushback. When complaints come, the natural response is to blame the TEA.  But is that fair?  Is that accurate?  Everybody here understands that the TEA tells schools how to administer the assessment and to score […]
  • Real STAAR Tips: How “Hustle Mom” Comes Up Short - Dallas area blogger “Hustle Mom” aka Dawn Monroe has come up with a handy dandy list of tips for parents to help their kids excel on STAAR, and at the same time makes a gratuitous (or not) plug for family-centered McDonalds. Despite apparently recognizing that “[t]eachers and students prepare for this test all year long, […]
  • Opt Out Wall of Shame – The Districts - Nominate your district: txedrights@gmail.com Round Rock ISD In order to entice a refusing student to take STAAR, an assistant principal told a 5th grade student that she had just spoken to his mother who had called and wanted him to take it.  The child was only at school because the mother had called and asked […]
  • Opt Out Hall of Fame – The Districts - Waco ISD The district worked with parents to create on campus alternate activities to STAAR testing. Houston ISD Created a district refusal procedure that promises no adverse action against students for opting out. Austin ISD Created in office refusal for opt out kids, allowing them to refuse assessment with parent witnessing, and return to class […]
  • Preparing for the Two Week Online Window - Parents intending to opt out this spring by staying home during the assessment window need to be aware of the expanded window for online administration.  This year, the TEA expanded the window for online administration to two weeks for most STAAR assessments.  The paper administration window continues to be one week.  Be aware that if […]