HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY – SUGAR LAND
13415 W. Bellfort Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone (281) 265-2525 Fax (281) 265-6525
May 10, 2021
Re: IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING STATE TESTING FROM PRINCIPAL MERCHANT
Dear Parents,
STAAR assessments will continue next week. 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.
There is no state option for taking a state assessment from home, so virtual learners MUST come to campus. We are expecting 100% participation.
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. As a district, we must comply with federal and state laws relating to state assessments. We are also committed to providing the safest environment possible for students and staff on our campuses, including the continuation of masks, social distancing, and extensive cleaning protocols, before, during, and after testing.
While we believe that teacher assessment of learning is extremely important, data from tests like STAAR can help us evaluate the impact of the COVID pandemic on student learning.
Knowing your child’s data is extremely important for the next school year. Our teachers have been working tirelessly to plan, develop, and execute engaging and rigorous lessons throughout this school year. They have attended professional learning seminars, meetings, professional development days, received coaching and guidance every step of the way to prepare for this moment and beyond.
Our goal, our allegiance, our focus has always been and will continue to be for the continued success of our children. The learning gap created by the pandemic is a real concern and without data, like that from the STAAR Test, it will be difficult to effectively support students that may be falling behind. We have a moral duty and obligation to make sure that our children are as prepared as possible for what lies ahead.
STAAR assessment data will help myself and our teachers know what type of supports, interventions and recommendations for acceleration that are best for your child. Failure to take the STAAR assessment may result in your child missing out on additional supports and interventions that could help close the achievement gap. This STAAR test data along with accumulated data over the course of the year will be the determining factor for
GT, STEM, HMA and advanced placement for your student.
TEA has made a number of adjustments to help school districts provide a safe on-campus testing environment – including the option to provide asynchronous instruction to those non testing grades (K-2, in order to reduce the number of students on campus during testing days). With that being said, at HSA-SL, only students who are testing will be on campus, while the remainder of our students will continue learning asynchronously on testing days.
May STAAR Testing Schedule
- Grades 3-5 Math: Tuesday, May 11
- Grades 3-5 Reading: Wednesday, May 12
- Grade 5 Science: Thursday, May 13
Again, students must attend on-campus to take state assessments. The state does not allow an “opt-out” option for state assessments. We are expecting 100% participation.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact my deans or myself.
Thank you for all you have done this year to partner with us through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Afreen Merchant
Principal
Harmony Science Academy – Sugar Land
