If Funding is Cut, Of Course Scores are Going to be Low

The amount of exemplary schools in the state is dropping.  Also the scores of non-exemplary schools are on the decline.  Five times as many schools were deemed academically unacceptable in the 2010-2011 school year, and almost fifteen hundred schools lost their exemplary rating. The number of schools in the top two categories is about the same as in 2008, the year before the projection measure came into play.  Some people claim that the reason schools have declined is because that the standard tests have gotten harder.  The new standard test is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR.  This test replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills or TAKS test that used to be in place at the public school level. 

In my opinion I think that we need to get rid of standardized testing.  I think that many student or scared or overwhelmed by this type of test.  I had many classmates who always did well in class and made good test grades but when it came to taking the standardized test it was like they slept everyday during class.  In my mind it doesn’t seem like students need to be judged based on what they score on this type of test.  Also I think an obvious reason that schools are losing their exemplary rating is that the budget for education is being cut.  I don’t see how anyone can expect good scores if they are cutting education funding.  It’s comical!  The education budget is that last thing that needs to be cut in this state.  Instead cuts need to be made in Perry’s spending on his mansion and his travel costs.  Also gambling should be legalized to help create revenue.  I just think it is absurd to expect the same top scores if funding is going to be cut.