TAMSA’s vision is for a strong accountability system for our schools and student assessments that are meaningful.
TAMSA is working to improve Texas public education through meaningful & effective student assessments that allow for more productive instruction & more efficient use of funds. TAMSA is a statewide, grassroots organization comprised of parents and other community members concerned with the overemphasis on high stakes STAAR tests and the misallocation of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to t
05/12/2023
TAMSA delivered this one-pager to House Public Education Committee members today. We oppose the additional testing at all levels that are written in the . A complete change of testing regime deserves thoughtful discussion.
URGENT CALL TO ACTION:
A voucher bill (CSSB8) is expected to be voted on by the House Public Education Committee with no public hearing TODAY. It completely changes the testing system with all power going to Commissioner Morath. Some members are thinking of voting for it because they think it improves testing but it doesn't!!!
We need calls ASAP to House Public Ed members - with the following message:
1. CSSB does not improve the testing system.
2. It actually increases the number of standardized tests.
3. It will test in 11th grade on material learned prior years.
4. It requires Texas colleges to use these 11th grade exams for placement into freshman courses.
5. It will greatly impact district and campus ratings - designed to make public schools look worse.
This bill should have been heard in committee where public testimony was allowed. Not dropped in the dark of night and pushed through without a hearing.
Please Vote NO on CSSB8. It is bad for kids. Bad for schools. Bad for public ed.
Please make calls ASAP, in the following order of priority:
Cody Harris, 512-463-0730
Oscar Longoria, 512-463-0645
Harold Dutton, 512-463-0510
Charles Cunningham, 512-463-0520
Brad Buckley, Chair 512-463-0684
Matt Schaefer, 512-463-0584
Brian Harrison 512-463-0516
Cole Hefner, 512-463-0271
Ken King, 512-463-0736
Alma Allen, Vice Chair, 512-463-0744
Steve Allison, 512-463-0686
Gina Hinojosa, 512-463-0668
James Talarico, 512-463-0821
05/03/2023
CALL TO ACTION!!!!!!!!!
HB 4402, Bell, K -R is the ONLY bill this session that will reduce the effect of STAAR on the accountability system. HB 4402 is being heard on the House floor tomorrow. Call/text/email your legislator today to vote YES to HB 4402!!
04/10/2023
Call to Action on STAAR and the A-F system
The upcoming week is a critical moment in the current legislative session for efforts to rein in the STAAR test and create a more well-rounded A-F accountability system. If the House Public Education committee does not agree to hear the dozens of bills filed on this topic very soon, the legislature will run out of time to act on the issue for another two years. There are many issues competing for lawmakers’ attention—now is the time to ask legislators to prioritize accountability reform THIS session.
Please take a few minutes to call your House member (most of the legislation filed on this topic is in the House) with the following message:
You are a (parent, educator, community member, etc.) who wants to see STAAR de-emphasized this legislative session. HB 4402 (Bell) and HB 4514 (Allison) both address reduction of STAAR emphasis.
You are asking your member to encourage the House Public Education Committee, and specifically Chairman Buckley, to schedule a hearing on accountability bills promptly.
That’s it! You can find a list of current House Public Education committee members: https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/?committee=C400
If you happen to live in one of these members’ districts, then your action here is especially important!
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11/10/2022
Congratulations to our own founding board member, Laura Yeager for being honored tonight at the Friends of Texas Public Schools as the Friend of the Year Honoree!
05/04/2022
Please answer Raise Your Hand Texas's short survey to help them understand your thoughts on assessment/accountability - and find out what you think matters and should be measured!
What does it mean to be a in your community? We believe that the future of Texas is in our public schools. Support public schools and our 5.4 million students by taking our 2-minute survey and help us strengthen the future of Texas: measurewhatmatterstx.org/survey
04/28/2022
TAMSA Board members, Theresa Trevino and Heather Sheffield attended the Raise Your Hand Texas Across the Lawn event on Community Based Assessments this morning.
03/28/2022
Thanks to Raise Your Hand Texas for including TAMSA Board member, Theresa Trevino on this committee!
We invited 16 public education leaders to join our Measure What Matters Council on Assessment and Accountability. Together we will work towards our goal of culminating legislative change during the 2023 Legislative Session. Thank you to our Measure What Matters Council!
Early voting is just around the corner. Try this helpful link to acquaint yourself and others with "Who Does What" in our government. You'll find helpful links to candidates in your district, too. Please share with your friends, neighbors and colleagues. Remember to vote!!
01/18/2022
Theresa Trevino is speaking on the “Are We Measuring What Matters?” panel at the Raise Your Hand Texas Measure What Matters conference today. For more information, visit:
https://www.raiseyourhandtexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MWM_January-18th_AGENDA.pdf