Texas House Approves Bill to Replace STAAR Test Starting 2027

Texas lawmakers have approved House Bill 8, which will eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test starting in the 2027-2028 school year, replacing it with a series of three shorter, adaptive exams administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. These new tests will provide results within 48 hours and are intended to reduce the high-stress, high-stakes nature of the current single-day STAAR exam. The bill passed largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting the change as a meaningful improvement and Democrats raising concerns about increased testing frequency and the expanded authority given to the Texas Education Agency. The Accountability Advisory Committee will be established to advise the Texas Education Agency on rule changes and standards modifications. Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law, making the change official for the state's 5.5 million public school students. This marks a significant shift in Texas education assessment policy after years of debate.