Students across Texas will not have to take state-mandated exams this year as the novel coronavirus spreads and school districts across the state shutter schools.

On Monday morning, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, testing requirements would be waived.

STAAR is a mandated, high-stakes exam given in grades three through eight, as well as in high school, that are used to measure how well students have mastered core subjects, including reading, writing and math. The state’s accountability system, which doles out letter grades to districts and their campuses, relies heavily on STAAR student performance.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: How Texas is responding to coronavirus

"Your health and safety are top priorities, and the state of Texas will give school districts flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty and their families," Abbott said. "We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19."

Abbott is working with the Texas Education Agency to ensure schools continue to deliver instruction to students while they are absent or schools are closed due to the virus.

Abbott said he also is working with the TEA on developing additional methods to ensure students are learning and ready to succeed at the next grade level.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath also said on Monday that given the need for social distancing, schools across the state are closing normal operations, and working to support learning while students are at home. Austin and other Central Texas school districts on Monday announced they would be shuttering schools through April 3.

"It has become apparent that schools will be unable to administer STAAR as they would normally," Morath said. "TEA has already waived a host of regulations allowing schools to quickly pivot to provide instruction and support in ways they have before."

Morath said the TEA will continue to support schools and provide educators with free tools that measure student learning.

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College entrance exams also have been canceled and rescheduled in response to the virus.

The College Board announced Monday that all May SAT tests are canceled. Registered students will receive refunds. ACT’s national test scheduled for April 4 was rescheduled for June 13.

Local advocates who have come out against the use of standardized testing to measure student success and learning praised Abbott for his efforts to minimize the spread of the virus and the cancellation of the test as school districts across the state close.

Thank you. Public schools are more than an educational facility. We are dealing with how to feed children while school is out, and how to make sure everyone has an internet connection so all children can learn. The last thing we needed, was how to prepare for STAAR. https://t.co/CN5JJGhS5s

— Pam Waggoner (@PamWaggoner) March 16, 2020

Heather Sheffield, board president for the Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment, a statewide grassroots organization concerned with the overemphasis on high stakes tests, said the group was appreciative of the governor’s proactive action this morning.

"This is in the best interest of our children to do what is best for their health and safety and we think this is a step in the right direction for ensuring mental health as well," Sheffield said.

Clay Robinson with the Texas State Teachers Association said the organization also was pleased with the governor’s decision to cancel the test.

"Under normal circumstances STAAR testing causes a lot of stress on educators and students and their families," Robinson said. "Under these new heath concerns educators, students and their families need to take care of themselves and the last thing they need to worry about is this STAAR testing."

Thank you @GovAbbott for making the decision to waive #STAAR testing requirements. During this time of national crisis, educators are already so worried about our most vulnerable students and staying connected to our kids. This just alleviated a major burden. #tlege #TxEd #TXTOY https://t.co/VPdW2zYhKM

— Karen Sams (@mrssamsclass) March 16, 2020

He said the hope is that this would prompt lawmakers to cancel the test entirely in the next legislative session and come up with a new way to evaluate the effectiveness of public schools that is not so heavily reliant on a standardized test.

Emily Sass, policy director for the Center for Innovation in Education at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, applauded Abbott’s actions to prioritize public health but also emphasized the importance of Texas’ assessment system.

"Over half a million Texas students are currently attending campuses rated D and F," Sass said. "Texas owes it to them to continue to pursue accurate information on the effectiveness of state educational programs and to seek to provide all students with quality educational options that allow each student to reach their dreams."

Most STAAR tests are required by federal law, she said. She praised Abbott’s request for a similar waiver from the U.S. Department of Education to remove the requirements for STAAR testing this year.

"The governor’s waiver of state statute is the first step in a process," Sass said. "All eyes will now be on the DOE."

How the school and test cancellations will affect graduation, funding, and ratings is unclear, but state leaders said they hope to get clarify from federal officials later this week.