Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday, March 16 that he would waive testing requirements for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams for the 2019-2020 school year since many schools expect to be closed through the testing days in accordance with social distancing policies implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

“Your health and safety are top priorities, and the State of Texas will give school districts flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty, and their families,” Abbott said in his public address. “We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19.”

Abbott said in his announcement that he will ask the federal government’s Department of Education (DOE) to waive national standardized testing requirements, which would apply to all states if passed. The federal government previously said it would consider waiving standardized testing in areas where there has been a Coronavirus outbreak. 

“I think not taking the STAAR test is a good thing because it will take a lot of stress off both students and teachers,” junior Kaitlyn Muras said. “I also think that the possible STAAR test cancellation will positively affect a lot of students who struggle with test taking.”

In response to Abbott’s announcement, Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath said that STAAR tests, under normal circumstances, are an invaluable tool. 

“I feel like STAAR tests getting canceled is a good thing,” freshman Fiona Tanis said. “It will help reduce the stress of many people who get very nervous for the STAAR, especially EOC’s like Biology and English.”