Texas Schools Face New Testing Era as STAAR Ends

It's been a slow burn in Texas regarding what the new state standardized testing will look like in the coming years. Many have called for the STAAR testing to go away, claiming it puts too much pressure on the kids AND the teachers.

They aren't wrong. I know my boys have stressed over these tests every year, worried that if they don't do well, they'll end up in summer school, even though their grades don't dictate that they need to go. Teachers worry that if the school doesn't do well, they'll lose their jobs. An update was needed.

House Bill 8 Set To Be Signed

This has been a controversial issue from the start with lawmakers here in Texas. It was indeed a bipartisan issue to get rid of the STAAR testing, something both sides could agree upon. The struggle came with what was going to replace it.

Well, things are still relatively split, but the new plan has received the votes needed in order to put it on Gov. Abbott's desk, and word is he intends to sign House Bill 8 into effect in the very near future.

Read More: STAAR Scoring Accuracy Questioned After Rescore Data

What Will The New Testing Look Like

This is what is causing some issues. The STAAR testing is one big comprehensive test towards the end of the school year. The kids plan for and even take practice tests throughout the year. The pressure grows greater as the test dates approach. Well, now that one big test at the end of the year will go away.

Replacing it, however, will be THREE different tests. One at the beginning of the school year, then the middle of the year, and finally at the end of the year. The Texas Education Agency will be the ones creating the tests.

There is one piece of the bill, however, that states school districts do NOT have to use the TEA created one for the beginning and middle of the school year tests. They can choose approved exams from other places for those. However, the end of year test MUST be the one created by the TEA, no exceptions.

Arguments About New Testing

While there are those who feel that breaking up these tests will take some of the pressure off the kids and give the teachers more time to educate the kids for the tests, others believe it's going to create different issues.

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa says it could exacerbate the stress because the students will be moving from taking 12 tests from 3rd grade to 8th grade, all the way up to 51 state-mandated tests throughout the same period. She also mentioned she's worried the tests won't be reliable, saying no one trusts the TEA.

The new testing will be slated to start with the 2027-2028 school year.