AUSTIN — Requirements for Texas' standardized academic-readiness test were waived early Monday by Gov. Greg Abbott and he called on the U.S. Department of Education to set aside federally-mandated testing as the nation grapples with containing 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 in a news release. "We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19."

Earlier Monday, the Texas State Teachers Association called on the governor to waive the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, because educators, students and families most focus on the larger issue of safeguarding public health.

“We don’t know how critical this health emergency will become in Texas, how many families will be affected and how long some schools may have to keep their doors closed to protect their students, employees and local communities." said TSTA President Noel Candelaria.

The governor's office said Abbott is "working closely with the Texas Education Agency to ensure that schools continue to deliver instruction to students" who are missing classes because of coronavirus precautions.

"This includes tailoring instruction for students with special needs so that they have access to the same education as other students in the district," the news release said.

John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @JohnnieMo.

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