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State waives STAAR requirement

5th, 8th graders can be promoted without passing test

Fifth and eighth graders will not have to pass the reading and math portions of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test this coming school year to ensure promotion to the next grade.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Monday announced the waiving of the requirement for students to pass the portions of the standardized test.

“As always, our goal is to provide a high quality education for every Texas student,” said Abbott. “This will be a uniquely challenging school year, therefore, this year is about providing students every opportunity to overcome the disruptions caused by COVID-19. By waiving these promotion requirements, we are providing greater flexibility for students and teachers, while at the same time ensuring that Texas students continue to receive a great education – which we will continue to measure with high quality assessments.”

The STAAR exams were canceled this spring due to COVID-19. But the Texas Education Agency has already issued statements that the tests will be administered in 2020-21 for students in grades 3 through 8 and the high school end of course exams.

Local school officials welcomed the announcement of waiving the requirements surrounding grade promotion.

“We appreciate the governor taking into consideration the challenges our students and teachers are going through right now, and this decision takes some stress off their plates as we move into the 2020-2021 school year,” said Northwest ISD Superintendent Ryder Warren.

Paradise ISD Superintendent Paul Uttley agreed with the need to waive the passing requirement.

“This is a great start. I agree wholeheartedly, with our leaders in Austin, that students should not be penalized by the circumstances of this pandemic,” Uttley said. “I also know that this will be a great sense of relief to our teachers who will continue to educate our students, without the pressure of the passing requirement to advance to the next grade level. Our teachers will utilize the data from these tests to fill in gaps caused by the loss of instructional time due to COVID-19. We are blessed to have the caring and dedicated teachers across this profession who continue to put student needs as their top priority during these unprecedented times.”

As part of the announcement Monday, state officials said the A-F accountability ratings will be issued next year with the adjustments.

Slidell ISD Superintendent Taylor Williams appreciated the waiver of the passing requirement for some students but added the schools are waiting for more information about how accountability ratings will be figured with students learning in two different methods – in-school and remotely.

“Gov. Abbott’s announcement in regards to waiving the fifth and eighth promotion requirements was definitely welcome news,” Williams said. “Any opportunity to provide flexibility and alleviate the stress many of our students, staff and parents have in regards to STAAR testing is always appreciated. However, it still leaves many unanswered questions and requests in regards to STAAR testing and accountability measures and formulas.”

Decatur ISD Superintendent Joseph Coburn also expressed the need for the state to further address the accountability system.

“If it shows the governor is willing to look at school accountability in a different way, that is the most positive news,” Coburn said. “That accountability system needs to be looked at from every angle. Hopefully this means they will look at the whole system.”

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