Austin, TX—Austin Independent School District Superintendent Meria Carstarphen released the following statement today regarding Commissioner of Education Robert Scott's announcement to defer the implementation of the 15 percent grading requirement connected to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) end-of-course exams:

"We welcome the news and flexibility provided by the commissioner. The deferral of this requirement gives our Board of Trustees the ability to decide whether end-of-course examinations will affect student's course grades for this school year. The board is scheduled to discuss this topic at Monday's work session, with possible action Feb. 27.

"During this initial year for the new state assessments, we are grateful because this change will relieve some of the pressures on our students. However, students will still be required to pass these tests in order to graduate.

"The district will communicate directly with parents after Monday's work session with the board."

For more information, contact the Department of Public Relations and Multicultural Outreach at 512-414-2414.