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Top Stories: STAAR Testing Begins Today, With Some Changes; Hot Careers In The Kitchen

Jason Stift
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Shutterstock

The top local stories this morning from KERA News: Many Texas public school children begin taking the STAAR tests this morning – and the standardized exams has some changes this year.

Testing on a single subject sometimes used to last a full day. Now students have to complete it within specific time frames.

The state initially placed a hold on higher testing standards so school districts could get familiar with the STAAR exam. The tougher grading standards will be phased in this year, meaning students now have to answer more questions correctly.

Other stories this morning:

  • A federal judge in December ruled the Texas foster care system as “unconstitutional,” and ordered an overhaul of the program. One of those changes starts Friday when two special masters undertake the major task of revamping a system serving about 30,000 kids.
  • One major focus in the classroom is getting students ready for college or a career. And these days, some of the hottest careers are in kitchens.

You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM. 

Former KERA staffer Krystina Martinez was an assistant producer. She produced local content for Morning Edition and KERANews.org. She also produced The Friday Conversation, a weekly series of conversations with North Texas newsmakers. Krystina was also the backup newscaster for the Texas Standard.