Texas lawmakers consider replacing STAAR with shorter tests, but legislative action stalls amid a redistricting fight.
SAN ANTONIO — Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal to eliminate the long-standing STAAR exam and replace it with three shorter assessments spaced throughout the school year. But with the legislation currently stalled due to a redistricting fight in the House, educators and parents across Bexar County are left waiting—and wondering how much would really change.
Senate Bill 8, introduced by Sen. Paul Bettencourt and mirrored by House Bill 8, would phase out the high-stakes STAAR test and instead require students to take one test at the beginning of the school year, one in the middle and one at the end.
The tests would offer faster results, within 48 hours, and are intended to ease student stress and give teachers more actionable feedback.
“The STAAR is replaced by three tests… the good thing about it would be that teachers and students get almost immediate feedback within 48 hours,” said Tom Cummins, President of the Bexar County Federation of Teachers.
Supporters of the bill argue the new system could be more instructionally supportive and reduce pressure on students.
However, some educators and parents are still cautious, pointing to unanswered questions about who will design the new assessments, how they will be used and whether they will truly reduce test-related stress.
“We don’t know who is actually going to be writing this test… and how much bias will be in it,” Cummins said.
Under the proposed legislation, test scores would still factor heavily into the state’s A–F grading system for schools, a concern for critics who say the focus remains too heavily on accountability rather than instruction.
“House Bill 8… is one third focused on the students… the rest has to do with focusing on school districts and how we can grade them,” Cummins added.
Parents like Laurie Luna, who also teaches at the college level, are not opposed to testing altogether but believe the format matters.
“As a parent and an educator, I’m not a fan of standardized testing… but if they’re shorter tests, that might be beneficial,” she said.
For now, STAAR will remain in place through at least the 2027–28 school year.
Any new testing format will depend on legislative action, which remains delayed as Texas House Democrats continue their walkout over redistricting.
“We are pleased there will be a look at removing the STAAR… but we are very concerned about what will happen next,” Cummins said.
With so much at stake for students, teachers and districts, parents and educators say they want more transparency and a voice in shaping what comes next.