TEA Commissioner Williams Waives 15% Rule for EOC Exams

On Friday, Nov. 30, TEA Commissioner Michael Williams extended the right of school districts to request waivers to the unpopular 15% rule, which makes new EOC (End of Course) exams count 15% of a student’s final course average. Governor Perry, as well as the Senate and House Education Committee Chairs, urged the change in response to public pressure, led by TAMSA (Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment). Williams stressed that this was a temporary fix and that the 15% rule was still in place, unless changed by the legislature.

Austin American-Statesman (Nov. 30, 2012): STAAR scores won’t count in course grade this year

Thomas Ratliff (SBOE): The Truth About High-Stakes Testing

Austin American-Statesman (Nov. 3, 2012Political winds shifting over testing, accountability