The Texas House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Monday to dismantle the state’s high-stakes standardized testing program and replace it with a new, more flexible assessment system.
With a vote of 143-1, the House approved House Bill 4, introduced by Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), which would officially eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams. The bill also introduces sweeping changes to how Texas schools are evaluated under the state’s A–F accountability system.
“Members, this bill eliminates the STAAR test,” Buckley announced on the House floor, drawing enthusiastic applause from lawmakers. Only Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) voted against the bill.
Why Eliminate STAAR?
STAAR has long been a controversial element of the state’s education system. First implemented in 2012, the end-of-year exams have been used to evaluate student achievement, teacher performance, and school ratings. Critics, however, have pointed to the immense pressure it places on students and educators alike.
Rep. Buckley cited research and feedback from constituents showing that the STAAR exam contributes to significant student stress and consumes up to three weeks of valuable instructional time each year.
“This bill takes back 17 to 18 school days from test prep and puts them back into teaching,” Buckley said. “We’re moving away from a single, high-stakes moment and giving our teachers the tools to help students grow steadily throughout the year.”
What’s Replacing It?
Under the new system, students will no longer take one large test at the end of the school year. Instead, they will complete three shorter assessments—one in the fall, one mid-year, and one in the spring. Each test will last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the grade level and subject.
Key features of the new system include:
No testing for 1st and 2nd graders.
Social studies removed as a tested subject.
Results available within 24 hours, a major shift from the current six-week wait time for STAAR results.
Supporters say the quicker turnaround will allow teachers to identify learning gaps early and adjust their instruction accordingly.
Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) emphasized that the new model allows educators to focus more on teaching and less on test preparation. “This bill takes testing out of the driver’s seat and puts it in the passenger’s seat where it belongs,” he said.
A New Look at Accountability
In addition to testing changes, House Bill 4 revamps how school performance is graded. The current A–F accountability system—used to assign letter grades to campuses and districts—has been the target of lawsuits in recent years, especially after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) changed its evaluation criteria without legislative oversight.
The new bill doesn’t eliminate the A–F system but makes it more flexible. It ensures that future changes to performance indicators require approval from the Legislature or local school districts, rather than unilateral decisions from TEA.
“This isn’t about less accountability,” Buckley said. “It’s about smarter accountability—making sure our school assessments reflect real learning, not just test-taking.”
What’s Next?
With bipartisan support and widespread public backing, the bill now heads to the Texas Senate for consideration. If passed, the new testing and accountability system would take effect this fall, a timeline that signals just how eager many lawmakers are to begin this transformation.
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