Texas STAAR exam may cease in 2027, yet educators voice uncertainties

In Texas, House Bill 8 is set to revolutionize the state's student testing system. Authored by Republican Rep. Brad Buckley and House Education Chair, the bill aims to replace the annual STAAR test with three tests at the beginning, middle, and end of the year.

Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt has sponsored the bill in the Senate. Bettencourt states that HB8 measures what matters - student success. The bill is likely to be signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The new bill, if passed, will bring a significant change to the academic landscape. It increases academic accountability while assessing students' skills throughout the year. This approach is hoped to restore classroom time and end wasteful lawsuits, preparing Texas students for real-world achievement.

However, not everyone is in favour of HB8. Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin opposes the bill, urging Abbott to veto it. Hinojosa argues that the bill doesn't deliver on its promise of shorter, lower-stress tests, and instead triples the number of tests students need to take. She expresses concerns about House Bill 8 potentially resulting in a culture of teaching to high-stakes tests throughout the year.

Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin also voices concerns about the potential hidden implications of the changes brought by HB8. Sheila Walker, president of the local National Education Association, shares similar sentiments, expressing a desire for more information about the specifics of the new tests under HB8. Walker is cautiously optimistic about HB8, as she feels it's a good start to reduce the over-testing of children.

KERA's education reporter, Bill Zeeble, is seeking tips related to House Bill 8. You can reach him at [email protected]. To support KERA News, which is supported by its members, contributions are tax-deductible. KERA News encourages those who find its reporting valuable to make a tax-deductible gift.

As the implementation of the changes in the student testing system in Texas as outlined in HB8 is set to begin in the 2023–2024 school year, the debate continues. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.