Austin – A representative from the Governor’s Office has confirmed that Governor Greg Abbott is set to sign House Bill 8.
The decision to eliminate the Texas Academic Preparation (STAAR) test initially drew bipartisan support, but the proposed replacement has divided Democrats and Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives.
HB 8 was passed mostly along party lines, with state Representative Gina Hinojosa from Austin urging Abbott to reject the legislation. She remarked, “This bill betrays the interests of students, parents, and teachers in Texas. There’s definitely a better option for our kids.”
Andrew Mahalleris, the governor’s spokesperson, stated, “Texas is moving towards becoming a leading education state, which demands a robust accountability system. HB 8 will replace the outdated STAAR test with a modernized approach that focuses more on learning and provides a better evaluation of student progress. The governor looks forward to finalizing this law.”
What does the test look like?
Students in grades three through eight will continue taking the existing STAAR test for the second-grade level. Beginning in fall 2027, schools will transition to a new testing format consisting of three assessments: Early Test, Yearly Test (Middle of Year), and Yearly Test (End of Year).
The Texas Educational Agency (TEA) is tasked with designing these assessments. Districts may choose to utilize other approved tests for the Early and Middle of Year assessments, but the End of Year test must be created by the TEA.
Results will need to be reported within 48 hours of the test, providing immediate feedback to parents and educators about students’ status.
The grades will be influenced by these new assessments as they will now include an annual performance indicator. This new aspect is designed to track students’ growth over the year by analyzing the scores from all three tests, rather than just comparing yearly scores.
Lawmakers have proposed provisions that would enable Congress to adjust curricula if the annual indicators negatively impact a school’s final grades. A report assessing this impact is expected from TEA in March 2029.
What are lawmakers saying about it?
Hinojosa voiced her concerns regarding the final version of the bill, arguing that it could increase stress levels among students. “From grades three to eight, students currently face 12 state-mandated tests,” she noted. “This could mean 51 mandatory tests when you look at the national level. As a parent of a child who has gone through Austin Public Schools, I’ve seen firsthand the pressure the STAAR tests put on kids. That just isn’t acceptable.”
In contrast, Rep. Brad Buckley, a Republican from Salado and one of the bill’s authors, countered these claims, stating that the new system would actually alleviate stress and give educators more time to teach.
Right now, students are required to take end-of-year assessments, but some districts conduct benchmark tests throughout the year in preparation for STAAR. The new bill prohibits such benchmarking, meaning students will only be required to take three major tests each year.
Hinojosa’s main concern seems to stem from a lack of trust in the TEA’s ability to provide reliable evaluations for students. “No one believes in the Texas education system anymore,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, Republicans assert that the new framework will aid in better understanding student progress throughout the year and reduce the stress associated with a single high-stakes exam. “Finally, we have a system that establishes clear measures for all Texans,” stated state Senator Paul Bettencourt from Houston, who sponsored the bill and oversaw some last-minute changes, including new assessments for eighth grade social studies and high school U.S. history.
