Every child has their own strengths and weaknesses in education, talents, and life. STARR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is nothing more than a school report card.  Students in the 3rd through 8th grade at Texas public schools must take at least two STAAR tests every year, each subject is different . High school students are expected to pass 5 subject-specifc STARR EOC (End of Course). These tests/assessments are given throughout the year until the student passes. Each STARR test have a 4-5 hr time limit for 4+ days. Even if you have an A in a class but fail STARR you are expected to keep retaking the test until you pass. Many schools are teaching for STARRs and not just teaching. A test is stressful enough let a lone sitting there for 4+ hours. If you have all passing grades and fail the five EOCs you won't graduate. Per the state "the assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills, the state curriculm standards. The STARR EOC  exams are designed to ensure that students are learning the specific course material and are prepared to succeed in college and /or careers." Is every student going into college? NO. We are only mentally damaging our children by forcing them to prove that they are smart in everything. Some kids take longer to learn a subject or maybe they are a year behind in knowledge due to circumstances. The class grades should reflect their knowledge accordingly instead of a state test that most adults could not pass. My5th grader is in a SPED Program and two grades behind in his knowledge and has extreme enxiety when taking tests: his school is expecting him to take the test. My second grader is expected to take his first STARR next year and I'm terrified for him. He is embarrassed of his reading and we are working hard on his comprehension level. I know in my heart that he will be timed out due to his reading ability. If a parent opts-out then the child is harrassed at school until they take the test or the parent of strongly talked to or threatened. We are sick of this behavior. I challenge every public official in taking these tests for the said time linits AND funding the schools eqaully. 

Stop doing this to our children. Teacher to their strengths. Encourage the kids to go into fields or careers that flurish because of their strengths or talent.