San Saba ISD has spent a great deal of time studying the impact of the inclusion of the end-of- course STAAR Exams on grade point averages and course credit. The ISD convened a group of high school teachers, school board members, middle school teachers, administrators and counselor to study the implementation and possible impact of the EOC’s on our students. Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced that he’ll defer implementation of the new 15 percent grading requirement. A press release from the Texas Education Agency says Scott took the action after receiving input from parents, educators, and State Board of Education members as well as clarification from state legislators. Scott issued the following statement: “Based on my conversations with the Governor’s Office and clarification of legislative intent from the House and Senate, I am modifying the Texas Education Agency’s House Bill 3 Transition Plan. The modification gives public school districts and charter schools the ability to defer implementation of the statutory provision that requires performance on an end-of-course assessment to count as 15 percent of a student’s final course grade. The modification applies only to the 15 percent grading requirement, and will affect only the 2011-2012 school year. According to Commissioner Scott, “The law still requires students that are first entering the ninth grade in the 2011-2012 school year to achieve a cumulative score on the end-of-course assessments to complete their graduation requirements.” State Sen. Florence Shapiro, chair of the Senate Education Committee, and three other senators sent Scott a letter clarifying legislative intent that cleared the path for Scott to grant a waiver of the so-called 15 percent rule. State Rep. Rob Eissler, chairman of the House Committee on Public Education, also drafted a letter and was able to secure signatures from at least 75 percent of House members. House Bill 3 required that an end-of-course assessment be counted as 15 percent of a student’s final grade in a course, but school superintendents and district leaders across the state have raised concerns about unintended consequences of the 15 percent rule which make it cumbersome for students, parents, counselors, teachers and administrators.Parents, let us know how we can help you the first day of school all the way until the last day of school!! Please check the website at www.san-saba.net for school information and follow us on facebook, too! If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net .