Houston – Hundreds of parents are choosing to have their children opt out of STAAR testing this week.

According to the organization Community Voices for Public Education (CVPE), more than 500 parents across the Houston area plan to have their child opt of at least one STAAR exam.

They represent 50 Houston ISD schools and 20 school districts across the area, CVPE said.

Some of the school districts included in the opt out include: Alief, Alvin, Aldine, Cy-Fair, Channelview, Clear Creek, Conroe, Ft. Bend, Houston ISD, Galena Park, Humble, Katy, Klein, Lamar CISD, New Caney, Pasadena, Santa Fe, Spring Branch and Spring ISD.

CVPE is hosting an Opt Out Academy to give students a place to undergo schooling while parents are at work.

The main location for the Opt Out Academy will be Live Oak Friends Meeting House in the Heights.

According to CVPE, Opt Out Academy is free to families and it is staffed by certified teachers and parent volunteers.