• For more information regarding Opting Out of Standardized Tests (TASB, Texas Association of School Boards, Legal Services), please visit the FAQ

     

    Willis ISD is committed to complying with state and federal laws related to state assessments.

    Texas education code outlines parental rights related to STAAR Testing. According to the education code shown below, Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not allow parents to remove a student from tests.

     

    EDUCATION CODE
    TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION
    SUBTITLE E. STUDENTS AND PARENTS
    CHAPTER 26. PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

         Sec. 26.010.  EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION.  (a)  A parent is entitled to remove the parent's child temporarily from a class or other school activity that conflicts with the parent's religious or moral beliefs if the parent presents or delivers to the teacher of the parent's child a written statement authorizing the removal of the child from the class or other school activity.  A parent is not entitled to remove the parent's child from a class or other school activity to avoid a test or to prevent the child from taking a subject for an entire semester.  (b)  This section does not exempt a child from satisfying grade level or graduation requirements in a manner acceptable to the school district and the agency.

    Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.(Texas Statutes, accessed 28 Feb. 2022, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=ED)

     

    According to House Bill 4545 and the Texas Education Agency, students who do not meet standard on a subject area STAAR test (or do not take the test) are required to attend a 30-hour per subject Accelerated Instruction. For additional information, contact TEA using the Student Assessment Help Desk or call 512-463-9536. 
If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.

  • STAAR Substitute Assessments

    Students at any grade level may choose to use a substitute assessment for a STAAR EOC assessment when they are enrolled in and completing the corresponding course or after they have taken the corresponding course.

     

    To use a substitute assessment,

    • A student must have taken the substitute assessment,
    • The student must have met the required score, and
    • The district must have verified the score.

    See the STAAR Substitute Assessments Flowchart click here.

     

    • The use of a qualifying score on a substitute assessment fulfills part of the student's graduation requirement.  
    • However, the student is still required to take the STAAR EOC assessment to fulfill the district's federal accountability requirements.

     

    The student is required to test. TEC §26.010 states that “a parent is not entitled to remove the parent’s child from a class or other school activity to avoid a test”. Moreover, TAC §101.4002(d)(2)(e) states, “A student electing to substitute an assessment for graduation purposes must still take the corresponding EOC assessment required under TEC, §39.023(c), at least once for federal accountability purposes. 

     

     

    The following state law outlines the requirements that pertain to STAAR substitute assessments →TEC §39.025.

     

    The following state rule clarifies the requirements that pertain to STAAR substitute assessments →TAC §101.4002.