Texas Senate Approves Bill to Replace STAAR Test with New Three-Part System

AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas Senate has approved a bill that will replace the state's current STAAR assessment with a new system of three shorter exams. The provision was part of a larger school accountability bill, HB 8, which is intended to transform how student achievement is measured.

Under the new system, which is set to be implemented in the 2027-2028 school year, students will be tested at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. The first two exams are designed as diagnostic tools, with results required to be available to students, parents, and teachers within 48 hours. This quick turnaround is intended to help educators identify and address students' academic needs more effectively. Only the third and final test will count toward a school's official accountability score.

The new model is a response to widespread criticism of the current STAAR tests, which many educators and lawmakers argue consume too much instructional time and lead to a "teach to the test" approach. Senator Paul Bettencourt, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, stated that the current testing process "freezes education" and derails instruction.

HB 8 also fully establishes the A-F rating scale for all school districts and individual campuses, a system first implemented in 2017. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick noted that the A-F rating system was inspired by Florida’s model and is meant to provide parents with a simple way to understand their child's school performance.