Texas is currently facing one of the most uniquely challenging school years in generations due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on our Texas schools. That is why we are requesting a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education to cancel the administration of the STAAR assessment for the 2020-2021 school year.  

As the 2020-2021 school year began, the harsh truth of our new reality set in: virtual learning is not working for everyone. While the shift to online learning has been difficult for some students and their families, it has proven to be impossible for many others. This pandemic has not been equitable; it has disproportionately impacted some communities more than others. While students, teachers, and administrators continue to grapple with the many challenges that they are faced with this year, they have the added and unnecessary stress of administering the STAAR assessments.  As you know, the potential consequences attached to the STAAR outcomes are serious. The school accountability system includes interventions and sanctions on school districts based on STAAR data that this year, without a shred of doubt, will be questionable and unreliable. 

Furthermore, the State of Texas spends an average of $90 million dollars a year to administer the STAAR assessment. In a year where projected state revenue has already dropped several billions of dollars, we must search for savings wherever we can. Moreover, this $90 million could more appropriately be directed toward state connectivity issues, intervention, and other academic tools for students and teachers. 

We respectfully ask that you allow our Texas teachers to continue delivering high-quality education without the added burden of a STAAR test during this very difficult 2020-2021 academic year. 

This petition was prepared by the Office of State Representative Terry Canales. Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and a member of the Sunset Advisory Commission. Rep. Canales represents House District 40 in Hidalgo County, which includes portions or all of Edinburg, Elsa, Faysville, La Blanca, Linn, Lópezville, McAllen, Pharr, and Weslaco. He may be reached at his House District Office in Edinburg at (956) 383-0860 or at the Capitol at (512) 463-0426.

You can find him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/RepTerryCanales

You can find him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TerryCanales40