On Nov. 29, Gov. Rick Perry announced his decision to delay the implementation of the fifteen percent rule, a rule that makes a student’s State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness or End of Course (STAAR/EOC) grade count for fifteen percent of their total grade for that class. Long time Pre-AP English I teacher Estelle Moore-Walker thinks that Gov. Perry has taken a step in the right direction.

“I’m not adverse to the STAAR/EOC, but I think there should be an incubation period before students take the test that will count,” said Moore-Walker.

While Moore-Walker agrees with the delay, her fellow English I teacher Mark Halvorsen has a different perspective. Halvorsen sees a potential positive side to the fifteen percent rule.

“I think the benefit of having the grade is that you are telling the student that the test has a tangible effect on their grade, and that can be a motivator,” said Halvorsen.

Halvorsen said that he understands the controversy around the STAAR/EOC’s point system where a student may not receive credit for the class even though they passed the exam. This because of the way points are awarded. The total number of points awarded for a passing score on each year’s exam does not add up to total number of points needed to get credit for the course.

Moore-Walker thinks the point system needs to be reviewed.

“I think a discussion concerning the point system needs to be revisited,” said Moore-Walker. “If a student passes a test, he should receive credit for it.”

Moore-Walker also said that she saw a few differences between the STAAR/EOC and the previous test, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

“One thing that hinders students [on the STAAR/EOC] is the writing,” said Moore-Walker. “There is more writing on STAAR [than on TAKS], and it is timed,” said Moore-Walker.

Sophomore Erin Szoeke does not approve of the STAAR/EOC and is pleased with Gov. Perry’s decision to delay the fifteen percent rule.

“The fact that [Gov. Perry] delayed the rule is good because we already have to take finals, written by our teachers, which have an effect on our total grade,” said Szoeke. “We shouldn’t have to take a state-written test that affects our grade as well. Unlike our teachers, the state test makers don’t spend every day with us and can’t personalize the test like our teachers can.”

Szoeke agrees with Moore-Walker that the point system is unjust and should be changed.Points are derived from percentiles based on other students’ scores of the same grade level.

“I find [the point system] frustrating. One year may be a lot harder than another year, and passing should mean passing. Just getting through the year, that’s what matters because high school is hard for everyone,” said Szoeke.

The fifteen percent rule will be discussed during the upcoming legislative session. This year’s delay marks the second year the rule has been deferred.