AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas high school students won't have to worry about new standardized testing known as STAAR affecting their grades this year.
Robert Scott, head of the Texas Education Agency, signed an order deferring a requirement that State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness results count toward 15 percent of the grades of some high school students in core subjects this year.
Scott's move came following public outcry that poor performance on the test could make kids less attractive to university admissions boards.
Education leaders in the Texas House and Senate wrote to Scott recently, clarifying that he could delay implementing the rule. It had been designed to ensure students take STAAR seriously.
Lawmakers said waiting a year before STAAR impacts grades will give officials a chance to fully implement it.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
