Texas Legislature Votes to End Annual STAAR Test by 2027
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Legislature has voted to end the controversial annual STAAR test within two years, sending House Bill 8 to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk late Wednesday. If signed into law, the measure will replace the high-stakes exam with a new system of smaller assessments spread throughout the school year beginning in the 2027-28 academic year.
The bill passed the Texas House on a 79-47 vote, largely along partisan lines, after more than an hour of debate. The STAAR test, which has long been criticized by parents, teachers, and students, will be phased out in favor of three exams administered at different times of the year. Supporters say the change will reduce stress, improve transparency, and create a more reliable accountability system.
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Supporters: A Fairer, Clearer System
Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, chairman of the House Public Education Committee and the bill’s sponsor, said House Bill 8 tackles longstanding problems with the STAAR test and its role in state accountability ratings.
“The current assessment and accountability system is complicated, lacks transparency, has minimal oversight, and is not trusted by school leaders,” Buckley said. “House Bill 8 addresses each of these shortcomings and creates statutory requirements to create a more fair, clear and trusted system.”
Currently, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) uses STAAR scores to determine school and district accountability ratings, including whether the state should intervene in struggling districts.
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Opposition from Democrats
While Democrats supported ending the STAAR test, they argued the bill does not go far enough in removing authority from the TEA. They voiced concerns that the agency should not oversee the new testing system given its role in accountability standards and state takeovers.
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said the rushed process and lack of clarity will frustrate families.
“No parent has asked for this. No parent wants this, and I guarantee you by the time parents figure out what we have done, they will be so angry,” Hinojosa said. “This is happening too fast. Our superintendents don’t even understand what’s going on in this bill. They’re too busy getting the schools up and running for the school year.”
Democrats also objected to the removal of a House provision that would have limited testing to federally required minimum levels.
Background and Legal Battles
The STAAR test has been unpopular for years, with critics citing grading errors, reliance on artificial intelligence for some scoring, and a lack of transparency. Parents, educators, and districts have repeatedly voiced concerns that the exams fail to reflect student learning and put undue stress on classrooms.
School districts have also sued the TEA over accountability ratings and testing methods, arguing the system is flawed and unfair.
Breaking a Legislative Stalemate
House Bill 8 resolves a months-long stalemate between the House and Senate — not over whether to eliminate STAAR, but over how to replace it.
In May, the House supported turning testing oversight over to third-party vendors already used for benchmark exams at the beginning and middle of the year. These tests are widely considered more accurate and less stressful. The Senate, however, pushed to keep oversight within the TEA, a position that ultimately prevailed in the final version of the bill.
If signed into law, Texas will phase out STAAR over the next two years, ushering in a new era of school accountability testing.
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