STAAR Letter

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

STAAR testing will start soon.  Although this school year has been challenging, we are confident our students are ready and have the skills necessary to be successful on the STAAR tests.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) is a state mandated test that measures students’ mastery of the statewide curriculum at various grade levels in elementary, middle school, and high school.  STAAR End of Course (EOC) tests are administered to students enrolled in the following high school classes: Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.  All students currently enrolled in these courses as well as students who need to retake exams are required to participate in this testing.  Satisfactory performance on each STAAR EOC test is a prerequisite for a high school diploma.

To ensure equity for all students, The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requiring all students to take STAAR in a monitored testing session at school supervised by a trained test administrator.  Appropriate public health protocols will be followed during all testing administrations.

To safeguard your child’s success on STAAR, please do the following: make sure your child arrives on time to school after a good night’s rest; is prepared to test; and eats a good dinner the night before and a good breakfast the morning of testing.  Similarly, encouraging your child to do his or her personal best can greatly improve your child’s self-confidence which will lead to better performance.  All testing materials will be provided by the school.  We do urge students to bring a snack to eat during the test and a sack lunch.

If your student(s) has picked up a Chromebook from the school, please make sure he/she brings it to school charged for testing. If your student(s) has picked up a graphic calculator from the school, please make sure he/she brings it to school if testing Algebra 1 and 8 grade math. Please make sure your student(s) report to campus by 8:00am on testing days.

Following are the dates for the upcoming Spring 2021 STAAR and STAAR EOC exams.

  • APRIL
    • STAAR Alt 2 Testing Window: March 29 – May 7
    • Grades 4 and 7 Writing and English I: Tuesday. April 6
    • English II: Thursday, April 8
  • MAY
    • Algebra I, Biology, and US History EOC: May 4-7
    • Grade 8 Science: Thursday, May 6
    • Grade 8 Social Studies: Friday, May 7
    • Grades 3-8 Math: Tuesday, May 11
  • Grades 3-8 Reading: Wednesday, May 12
  • Grade 5 Science: Thursday, May 13

In addition to state assessments, other upcoming exams include:

As a reminder, the campus will be closed to all visitors, including parents, on testing days.  This includes lunch drop offs.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Below is your student’s testing schedule for April and May testing so that your family may make any needed arrangements to bring your student to campus on their assigned days.

May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14
Algebra I
Last Day 7th Gr. Writing/EOC Eng. I Make up
 Biology
U.S. History
8 Science
8 Social Studies
8 Math 6/7 Math
8 Reading 6/7 Reading

If you have any questions or concerns about testing, please do not hesitate to contact me at arahmanovic@harmonytx.org or by phone number 281-861-5105..If your student is a remote learner and will not be coming to school due to COVID-19 concerns, please fill out this form COVID-19 STAAR Form.

Sincerely,

Testing & Federal Programs Coordinator

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Waiver of the Student Success Initiative (SSI) Promotion Requirements

The purpose of this announcement is to inform our HPS communities about changes to the Student Success Initiative (SSI) promotion/retention and retesting requirements for the 2020–2021 school year. In light of past and anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commissioner of Education has waived grade promotion requirements for students in fifth and eighth grade for the 2020–2021 school year. Notwithstanding anything the contrary in prior policy or procedure, Harmony Public Schools will comply with the Commissioner’s waiver of SSI requirements for this school year.

For additional information, please click on this link to review TEA’s correspondence in regards to the matter: Waiver of the Student Success Initiative (SSI) Promotion Requirements)

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