TEXANS SAY EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS IN 2003

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 Education Reform Foundation (TERF). 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, TERF 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:

• More than nine out of 10 Texas adults agree that in order for Texas to be strong, we need stronger schools.
• The number of supporters of standardized testing increased from 64 to 71 percent after survey participants learned more about the TAKS test.
• 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.
• More than three-quarters say that it is smart to use standardized testing to measure school performance and hold schools accountable.
• 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.

TERF Communications Committee Chairman David Russell presents statewide survey
results at Sept. 17 press conference in Austin, Texas. Source: Associated Press.

About The Texas Public Education Reform Foundation

The Texas Education Reform Foundation (TERF) is a non-profit 501©3 corporation formed in 2001 to advance the cause of education reform in Texas. TERF 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.