Parents of children who speak English as a second language in the Port Arthur Independent School District are invited to an upcoming event to prepare for standardized testing.

PAISD’s Multilingual Department Title III, Part A, is hosting the event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Memorial Ninth Grade Academy cafetorium, where there will be door prizes and refreshments.

Tatiana Morales, multilingual migrant director, said it is important for parents to attend the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR Night.

“We are informing the community and parents of what is required of students to be successful, how many credits are needed to graduate and requirements for the STAAR,” Morales said. “There will also be an opportunity for them to visit booths for Lamar State College Port Arthur, Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology to see what their options are beyond graduation.”

The information will be presented in multiple languages — English, Spanish and Vietnamese — which reflect the community, she said.

The STAAR Night focuses mainly on ninth through 12^th grades but parents of middle school students may be interested in the information as well.

STAAR testing will be held in April and May.