Severe Weather Impacts to School Systems
| Date: | May 2, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Severe Weather Impacts to School Systems |
| Category: | Assessment and Waivers |
| Next Steps: | Evaluate severe weather impacts to assessments and need for waivers |
Overview
In response to the severe weather impacting school communities across the state, this letter provides guidance to school systems/local educational agencies (LEAs) related to impact to assessments and the potential need for waivers. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is in daily contact with education leaders to understand the weather situations, the duration of any school closures, and any related decisions. The decisions outlined in this communication are based on the state’s commitment to our districts and students, with the priority of ensuring that those school systems impacted by the recent flooding can make educational decisions that are in the best interest of their students.
Assessments
TEA is allowing school systems that are unable to complete STAAR mathematics testing due to school closures from flooding this week to complete testing next week. School systems that need to complete testing next week due to school closures must contact Cambium Assessment, Inc. (See contact information below.) All STAAR grades 3–8 mathematics and Algebra I assessments for these LEAs must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Regardless of this limited opportunity to test next week for certain school systems, all LEAs must complete entering student information for the spring 2024 STAAR administration by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Friday, May 3 in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE).
Waivers
School systems should utilize their built-in minutes or planned bad weather make up days for closures. Those that have already missed two days of instruction this school year due to a weather, health, or safety closure may apply for missed school day waivers for closures for the third missed day and beyond, subject to waiver minute caps.
For the impacted school systems within the April 30, 2024, Governor’s Disaster Declaration, waivers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Note: For LEAs with built-in minutes to cover closures and whose minute balance still meets or exceeds 75,600 minutes, missed school day waivers would not be needed.
Additional Supports and Questions
For questions or assistance regarding the assessment information in this communication, please contact Texas Testing Support at 833-601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or TexasAssessment.gov via live chat.
For questions or assistance related to waivers, please contact the State Waivers division at waivers@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9630.