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Waco ISD superintendent urges caution over new ESA voucher bill and recent accountability changes
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Quanesha Spicer told the board the Senate advanced a bill creating education savings accounts (ESAs) to the governor and criticized recent Texas Education Agency changes to testing and accountability, saying districts lacked notice of new measures and that the STAAR is a single‑day measure that doesn't capture all school work.
WACO, Texas — In her monthly report to the board, Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Quanesha Spicer said the Senate advanced a bill creating education savings accounts (ESAs) to the governor and expressed concern about recent Texas Education Agency (TEA) alterations to testing and accountability methods.
Spicer told trustees the Senate voted 19–12 to advance the House version of SB 2, the ESA bill, and said the district is monitoring how the measure could affect public schools. “I have been asked to look into the future and forecast how this bill will impact public schools like ours. And honestly, I do not know,” she said.
Spicer also criticized TEA for implementing large changes to the STAAR test and to the method for assigning A–F accountability ratings after the school year began. She said districts received final methods, measures and procedures only after the academic year was underway. “It was as if our students and staff played a game. After everyone went home, TEA decided to change the rules,” she said.
Spicer singled out changes to the college, career and military readiness (CCMR) measures, saying the class of 2023 was evaluated under new, more rigorous standards that weren’t provided to the district until months after those students graduated. She urged the public to consider the broader context before drawing conclusions from A–F ratings. “The STAAR test is a single measure taken on a single day. It cannot and it should not be the sole lens through which we evaluate the success and value of the Pecos Independent School District,” she said (speaker used district name in remarks).
Trustees and speakers emphasized the need for advocacy. Trustee Jose Vidania urged community members to contact legislators and demand full funding for public schools; Trustee Jeremy Davis encouraged people to vote. The superintendent said district staff will continue monitoring legislative activity and that district leaders hope funding decisions by June 2 will better address inflationary pressures faced by districts.
The superintendent’s remarks were delivered as an informational report; the board took no formal action on the legislative or accountability items during the meeting.
Provenance: superintendent’s report and board discussion on legislative developments and state accountability.
