Texas Lawmakers Propose Replacing STAAR With Student-Centered Tests

Texas lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 8 to eliminate the STAAR test and replace it with three shorter, student-centered assessments given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, aiming to reduce student stress and provide faster, actionable feedback to teachers. The bills, filed during a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott, also propose annual A-F school ratings with updated cut scores every five years and prohibit most taxpayer-funded lawsuits against state education actions. Lawmakers emphasize that the new assessments will shift focus from standardized testing to real learning and ensure fairer, more transparent evaluation of student success and school performance. The legislation marks a renewed effort after a previous attempt failed during the regular session, with identical language in both bills to avoid past disagreements. However, the bills' progress is uncertain due to political challenges, including Texas House Democrats leaving the state, which has stalled legislative action. If passed, the reforms are expected to take effect in the 2027-2028 school year, reflecting a significant change in Texas education policy.