State Defers STAAR Grading Policy
Education Commissioner Michael Williams (left) deferred the STAAR requirement, a day after Gov. Perry (right) suggested so. Photos by Texas Education Agency and Gage Skidmore
For the second year in a row, students’ end-of-course exams won’t have to count as 15 percent of their final grade.
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced today that school districts will be allowed to apply for a waiver to the rule for the 2012-13 school year.
“You know we have to recognize that we are only in the second of the accountability system and the first year of testing,” Williams said. “There probably is some wisdom in saying, ‘Pump your brakes.’”
The 15 percent rule is a component of the state’s new standardized testing system: the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. Williams’ move comes one day after state leaders including Gov. Rick Perry suggested the Texas Education Agency defer implementation of the rule this year.
On Wednesday, State Senator Dan Patrick filed Senate Bill 135, which would allow school districts to decide whether they want to implement the 15 percent rule.
