Before taking the state’s accountability test next week, students at Fulmore Middle School and around the Austin school district will get an added boost of encouragement through the form of a catchy hip hop beat created by an AISD educator.
Frankie Mendoza, director of Fulmore’s Afterschool Center on Education (ACE), wanted a way to encourage and inspire his students before taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR exam, which determines whether students can move to the next grade level and even graduate.
So, Mendoza drew on the two things he’s most passionate about—music and education—to write and record a hip hop song, titled “STAAR Defeat.”
The catchy song encourages students to do their best during testing, which begins Tuesday, April 23. The lyrics to the three-minute song also weave in tips for students, such as eating a good breakfast, positive attitude, making families proud and getting a good night’s rest before the test.
“I’ve been working with at-risk students for about eight years, and I know how important this test is for our students,” said Mendoza, who worked as an assistant principal, teacher and student mentor prior to joining AISD in October. “Many students need cheering and encouragement to take the test. My background is in theatre, fine arts, music and hip hop as well as student engagement, so I wanted to apply those skills to create a song for our students and families that is positive and based on counseling views, like the importance of good attendance, good behavior, a positive attitude, working hard and taking the test seriously.”
Mendoza recorded the song and worked with Fulmore students and the Austin Film Society to produce a music video. The video made its debut during a STAAR pep rally at Fulmore Middle School April 22. Watch his music video.
“The whole idea of the pep rally is to do it at the end of the day on Monday so our kids leave feeling positive and excited. We hope this pep rally, and Mr. Mendoza’s song, will give a little boost of confidence before the test and make them feel good about all of their hard work,” Lisa Bush, principal of Fulmore Middle School, said. “What I really appreciate about what Mr. Mendoza has done is that he’s involved the kids, and they’re really excited about participating.”
Mendoza also will perform the song live during the rally.
“The students are pretty excited about it,” Mendoza said. “I hope I can use my music and education skills to help those students who are struggling and falling through the cracks of learning.”
STAAR Defeat
Written by Frankie Mendoza
Recorded and Produced by Justyn Payne
Recording Engineer
Chief Producer PhrozenTruthe Production
STAAR defeat, STAAR defeat, get on your grind kid, STAAR defeat (2X)
Gotta pass the STAAR
Gotta go far
Reading, writing, and math, you gotta set the bar
Don’t slack man….cause you gotta do it
Good sleep, good breakfast, so don’t blow it
Put your thinking on, take your time kid
Answer everything…yeah, you wish you did
Listen carefully, stay quite
Respect others that are testing, be polite…yeah that’s right
No distractions, it’s not a game
Stay positive and the remember the name
Assessment for Academics, state of Texas
You know how we do it…Fulmore representing
Hold up, hold up, yeah you better study
Homework help, get a friend…study buddy
Get a study buddy, get a study buddy, get a study buddy, get a study buddy
STAAR defeat, STAAR defeat, get on your grind kid, STAAR defeat (3X)
We back…in the STAAR game
Ask Principal Bush and she’ll tell you the same
Do good, defeat STAAR, do your best
Make your family proud, and forget the rest
Be your own leader, make others proud
Defeat the STAAR, say it loud Defeat the STAAR, say it loud (4X)
STAAR defeat, STAAR defeat, get on your grind kid, STAAR defeat (3X)
3rd verse, we stay focused
Don’t forget Science, History and elective courses
Test week, yeah we nervous too
We’re on the same game, yeah me and you
Attendance is a must, your counselors know
Take your test, turn it in, it’s time to go
But don’t cheat, it’s nothing good
Be honest; try your best, like we you know you would
So get ready, here it comes, it’s on
Take a breath, be patient, and remember this song
STAAR defeat, STAAR defeat, get on your grind kid, STAAR defeat (3X)