GOV. ABBOTT WAIVES GRADE PROMOTION REQUIREMENT FOR 2020-21 STAAR TESTING, EXTENDS NOVEMBER EARLY VOTING

  

Governor Greg Abbott has waived the grade promotion requirement of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test for fifth and eighth graders for the upcoming school year, and has also extended the early voting period for the November election.

Abbott said this decision will provide greater flexibility for students and teachers in a year focused on providing students “every opportunity to overcome the disruptions caused by COVID-19”.

The waiver means that the STAAR tests for math and reading will only be given once for fifth and eighth grade students during the new school year; normally, fifth and eighth graders who do not meet grade level need to take the STAAR test again.  The tests will be given in May, alongside the STAAR tests for grades 3-8.

The Texas Education Agency's revised testing calendar for 2020-21 can be seen here.

Also on Monday, Abbott extended the state’s early voting period for the November general election by six days, to allow voters more time to participate in the election as challenges posed by COVID-19 continue.  Early voting will begin on October 13^th instead of October 19^th, and will continue through October 30^th.  In addition, mail-in ballots will be allowed to be delivered on Election Day.