How do you opt out (grades 3-8)?
- Submit an opt out letter to your school at some point in the spring semester, even the day before the test. You can opt-out by informing the school that you intend to refuse the STAAR assessment by email or letter. Opt out Letter in English and Carta de Opt Out en español.
- Inform the school to move your child to a non-tested grade level classroom for each first day of a STAAR administration. Alternatively, you may want to keep your child at home on the first day of a STAAR test for their grade level because the school likely won't have other learning activities available for that grade level.
- Your child can return to school for regular learning during the remainder of the testing window. They will not be asked to take the STAAR on make-up days as long as you have submitted an opt out letter.
- The STAAR will be scored as a zero. (See post opt out “Know your rights” for more)
- Decline HB 4545/HB 1416 summer school and tutoring the next school year. This is allowed by Texas law.
- Your child will be promoted to the next grade level.
Lots of useful additional information at txedrights.net/opting-out-step-by-step/
Note: If your child requires Special Education services and you need help with the ARD process, fill out the opt out form, bit.ly/optouttexas, and ask for a CVPE member to contact you.
HIGH SCHOOL: To graduate from high school in Texas, a student must pass five STAAR end of course (EOC) assessments (Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II and US History) or use a combination of several exceptions. These exceptions apply to most but not all students. These include a sufficient score on a substitute assessment; Spring 2020 COVID waiver, Special Education ARD, or IGC for up to two STAAR assessments. More details at houstoncvpe.org/high_school_opt_out.
Do you like this page?