By Sahar Chmais
For clarification, this is A-F rating for schools, not students.
AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has paused A-F rating for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19 disruptions. The agency has decided to continue STAAR testing to gauge what students have learned throughout the year and to measure the impact of the pandemic on education.
TEA would like to use STAAR testing as a tool to assess how teachers and parents need to help their students grow. The test will also help provide insight on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting student performance.
While STAAR testing is still happening, it will not be used as an accountability measure.
“The last nine months have been some of the most disruptive of our lives,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “The challenges have been especially pronounced for our parents, teachers, and students. We continue to prioritize the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in our schools this year, while working to ensure students grow academically.”
STAAR testing will be given on school campuses across Texas, or at other secure alternate testing sites. TEA adds that the test will only be given in secure environments to ensure the results are valid and reliable.
