EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — Texas House Bill 8, aimed at overhauling the controversial STAAR exam, is set to bring significant changes, but the most substantial adjustments won’t be seen until the 2027-2028 school year.
The bill proposes replacing the single end-of-year exam with three shorter tests throughout the year and prohibits teachers from administering practice tests.
However, starting in December, four other changes will take effect for the current school year.
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These include providing parents with immediate access to scores, offering instructions on managing test anxiety for students and teachers, and simplifying the process for accessing results.
Community reactions to the changes have been mixed.
One commentator remarked, “So basically the same thing but throughout the year.”
Another expressed concern, saying, “They went from teaching just the STAAR for the four weeks prior to the test to teaching STAAR all year long.”
A third added, “You’re going to see less and less kids interested in learning. It’s all pressure now for these tests.”
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