AUSTIN, Texas — Texas students in grades five and eight will not have to worry about STAAR testing when it comes to being promoted to the next grade this upcoming school year. It's part of the state's COVID-19 respnse.
Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that he is waiving the grade promotion requirement.
School systems in Texas typically have to take into account students' STAAR test scores when promoting them to the next grade, but during the 2020-21 school year, that will no longer be the case.
Abbott's announcement said the traditional A-F rating system will remain in place, with some adjustments due to COVID-19.
The waiver also means that the STAAR test's mathematics and reading assessments will only be given one time during the upcoming school year, and not again in the summer for students who do not meet grade requirements. The test will be given in May.
"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," Abbott stated in Monday's announcement. "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."
To learn more about this upcoming school year, you can visit the Texas Education Agency's FAQ on the Texas Assessment Program.
