In the 89th Texas Legislative Session, House Bill 8 introduced a significant overhaul to the state’s public school assessment system. The bill was designed to replace the long-standing STAAR exam with a more dynamic and responsive model, aimed at improving instructional alignment and reducing the stress associated with high-stakes testing.
Under HB 8, students in grades 3 through 12 will take three assessments each academic year: a beginning-of-year diagnostic, a mid-year progress check, and an end-of-year criterion-referenced exam. The bill mandates that results be delivered within 48 hours of testing.
The legislation preserves the A–F accountability rating system for campuses and districts but prohibits the use of “Not Rated” designations. It also restricts the use of benchmark testing and requires that all test items be reviewed by panels of Texas teachers.
HB 8 grants the Texas Education Agency authority to manage the new system, including contracting with a nationally recognized assessment provider and conducting field testing prior to full implementation in the 2027–2028 school year. Districts are required to notify parents each time new results are posted, using a secure online portal.
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/892/billtext/html/HB00008F.htm
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