Texas, July 28, 2025
News Summary
The future of the STAAR exam in Texas is under scrutiny as Governor Greg Abbott includes its potential elimination in a special legislative session agenda. Following earlier failed attempts to replace the STAAR exam, lawmakers are exploring alternatives such as shorter assessments and nationally normed tests. The proposed changes aim to alleviate stress on students and teachers, shifting the focus from high-stakes testing to continuous student progress evaluation. However, logistical challenges and concerns surrounding implementation remain.
Austin, Texas – The future of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam is under review as Governor Greg Abbott has added its elimination to the agenda of a special legislative session. This follows a failure to eliminate the STAAR exam during the regular legislative session, primarily due to disagreements among lawmakers regarding a suitable replacement.
If the STAAR exam is phased out, there is uncertainty about what assessment system will take its place. One proposal suggested substituting the STAAR with shorter assessments administered throughout the academic year. The House Bill 4 initially aimed to replace the STAAR exam with these shorter tests, but could not gain the necessary consensus between the House and Senate.
In his proclamation for the special session, Governor Abbott called for effective tools to assess student progress and ensure district accountability. However, he did not specify what replacements would be considered for the STAAR exam. Alternatives proposed during the legislative discussions included House Bill 134, allowing school districts to use nationally normed assessments, such as the NWEA MAP test, in lieu of the STAAR exam.
Meanwhile, House Bill 92 sought to eliminate the STAAR and other state-mandated assessments not required by federal law, aiming to “restore common sense to Texas classrooms.” Proponents of through-year assessments argue that such a system would give teachers the ability to provide timely feedback and necessary interventions based on student performance throughout the year.
Critics of the STAAR exam include both educators and parents, who contend that the current testing system induces excessive stress and detracts from valuable instructional time. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is in the process of developing the Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP), which is slated for implementation in the upcoming school year. Should the through-year model replace the STAAR, schools would have greater flexibility in assessing student progress via several shorter tests rather than a single comprehensive year-end examination.
However, testing experts have raised concerns about the logistical issues associated with administering make-up tests for students who are unable to take one of the multiple assessments during the year. Some Texas lawmakers are looking to Florida’s recently adopted progress monitoring system as a model, which incorporates assessments three times per academic year.
Despite previous efforts to abolish the STAAR exam, ongoing frustrations regarding the effects of standardized testing on Texas students and educators persist. The STAAR results currently serve as the sole metric for evaluating school performance, with consistent poor outcomes leading to severe consequences such as state takeover or closure. Additionally, the STAAR system has been criticized for disproportionately impacting schools with higher populations of English-learning students.
Legislative discussions indicate a growing desire for a testing system that places more emphasis on continuous student growth rather than the pressures associated with high-stakes testing. The potential changes to the Texas assessment system signal a shift in focus towards more effective evaluation of student learning and progress.
Key Features of Proposed Changes to the STAAR Exam
| Proposal | Description |
|---|---|
| House Bill 4 | Proposes shorter assessments throughout the academic year to replace the STAAR exam. |
| House Bill 134 | Allows school districts to opt for nationally normed assessments instead of STAAR. |
| House Bill 92 | Aims to eliminate STAAR and other non-federally mandated assessments. |
| Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP) | A TEA initiative for implementing a through-year assessment model in schools. |
| Assessment Frequency | Multiple shorter tests throughout the year vs. a single end-of-year exam. |
FAQ Section
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What is the STAAR exam?
The STAAR exam is a standardized test used in Texas to assess student performance in core subjects.
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Why are lawmakers considering eliminating the STAAR exam?
Lawmakers are concerned about the stress it creates for students and the impact it has on instructional time, as well as calls for a testing system focused on student growth.
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What are the proposed alternatives to the STAAR exam?
Proposals include shorter assessments throughout the year, using nationally normed assessments, and implementing a through-year assessment model.
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What is the Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot?
The TTAP is an initiative by the Texas Education Agency to develop an assessment model that evaluates student progress more continuously throughout the academic year.
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What potential challenges are associated with the proposed changes?
Testing experts have raised logistical concerns about administration and make-up tests for students who miss assessments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas House Votes to Eliminate STAAR Test
Austin Schools Face Potential Closure Amid Failing Grades
Rodriguez Elementary School Faces Decline in STAAR Scores
Significant School Performance Disparities in Austin
Austin Schools Face Accountability Ratings Decline
Additional Resources
- Star-Telegram: Future of STAAR Exam Under Review
- Wikipedia: Standardized Testing
- Fox 7 Austin: STAAR Testing Elimination in Texas
- Google Search: STAAR Exam
- NBC DFW: Impact of Eliminating STAAR Test
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Assessments
- Fox 26 Houston: Texas House Passes Bill to Replace STAAR
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Assessment
- KTBS: Abbott Pushes for STAAR Replacement
- Google News: Texas Education Legislation
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
AUSTIN STAFF WRITER The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
