Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Education
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Adapting or closing schools; Legal and policy; Regulatory change
Level of Jurisdiction: Texas
Lead People/Agency: Governor Greg Abbott
Overview: Governor Greg Abbott announced that he has waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, Governor Abbott is requesting that the Department of Education (DOE) waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.
Full details here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-waives-staar-testing-requirements
Type of Justification: Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee
Source of Evidence or Justification: Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Evidence/Justification: 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, said Governor Abbott. “We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19.” The governor’s announcement comes a day after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told superintendents and lawmakers on two separate phone calls to prepare for long-term school district closures, potentially through the end of the school year, especially in areas where the new coronavirus has spread.