Exam Exemptions
Exemptions are a privilege to be earned by high school students (junior high school students are not eligible). All high school students will take all semester exams during the 1st semester.
A high school student who achieves "Masters" level on State Assessment Exams for all related courses taken during the current year may be exempt from all spring semester exams, provided the student is passing the course for the semester.
Students enrolled in dual credit courses may not exempt the final exam for the college. They may be exempt from the high school final exam in the spring semester if exemption requirements are met.
A high school student may exempt second semester exams on a course by course basis by meeting the specific requirement of the course:
- For courses with STAAR assessments:
- Achieve "Approaches" or "Met Standard" on the STAAR End of Course Test and
- Be passing the course for the semester
- For ALL other courses:
- Have a minimum of an 85 average for the semester
Additionally, all exam exemptions are contingent upon the student meeting the following criteria:
- The student must have no more than four (4) absences (excused or unexcused) the 1st semester in a full year course, and no more than three (3) absences (excused or unexcused) the 2nd semester prior to the day of the exam to be exempted.
- The student must not have more than ten (10) unexcused tardies or late arrivals for the year.
- All students must be in attendance on the day of the semester exam review or they forfeit their exemption.
- All textbooks must be clear.
- All outstanding fees must be paid.
- Students must not have incurred more than two (2) days of ISS assigned for the year. Students who were assigned OSS or AEP during either semester may not be exempt.
- Attendance hardship cases may appealed to the Exam Exemption Committee. The hardship appeal forms for exam exemptions may be picked up in the principal's office beginning April 25, 2022, and returned no later than May 13, 2022.
Students who transfer into Tomball ISD in the spring semester are responsible to show proof of attendance, textbook and state assessment records from their previous school. Parents have the right to waive their child’s exemption.
Note: If state assessment scores are not returned by the State of Texas in a timely manner that allows the District to evaluate the success of the individual student, then the 85 average for the semester will apply.