Texas waives grade promotion requirements for this year’s STAAR testing
AUSTIN - The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, also known as STAAR, test requirement for grade promotion for students in 5 and 8 grade has been waived for this upcoming school year.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott made the announcement on Monday.
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Typically, school systems must take into account a student’s score on the STAAR test to determine whether the student can be promoted to the next grade level. The traditional A-F rating system will remain in place, albeit with certain adjustments due to COVID-19.
Also, students enrolled in grades 5 and 8 are typically required to re-take a STAAR test late in the school year, and sometimes again in the summer, if they do not meet grade-level when taken during the spring.
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With this waiver, there will only be one administration of the STAAR grades 5 and 8 mathematics and reading assessments for the 2020–21 school year. The test will be administered in May to coincide with the administration of other STAAR grades 3-8 assessments.
"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," Gov. Abbott said in a statement.
To learn more, visit TEA’s FAQ guide on the Texas Assessment Program.
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