Texas Education Agency officials confirmed the test is effectively canceled in terms of it being an official assessment of student and school performance.
The TEA is evaluating whether some districts could opt in to offer the assessment as a diagnostic tool only, a TEA spokesperson said. The agency expect to release some guidance to districts by March 19.
In the news release, Abbott said the move to waive testing requirements emphasizes the state’s focus on public health.
“Your health and safety are top priorities, and the state of Texas will give school districts the flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty and their families,” Abbott said in the release. “We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19.”
Abbott is also requesting the U.S. Department of Education waive its testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year, per the release.
Katy ISD declined to comment regarding the governor’s decision and what it means for KISD students and teachers. Lamar CISD did not immediately respond for comment. Both districts have postponed the return of students from spring break through March 20.
However, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said Abbott did the right thing in waiving the STAAR testing requirements.
“It was unrealistic and unreasonable to expect that our students would be prepared to take a test of that nature this year,” Dupre said. “Even if things were to recover in the next four to six weeks or so, [students are] still dealing with stress and anxiety that they're going to be dealing with for a while. These kinds of issues really exacerbate student anxieties and fears.”
