A renewed debate is unfolding in Texas over the future of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), the state’s controversial standardized test. Governor Greg Abbott has placed the elimination of the STAAR test on the agenda for the upcoming special legislative session—giving lawmakers a second chance to tackle an issue that stalled earlier this year.
Abbott, who has voiced interest in replacing the STAAR test since 2023, is calling on legislators to find “effective tools” that can better assess student performance and school accountability. The governor’s decision comes after the regular session ended in June without a resolution, leaving the future of high-stakes testing in limbo.
Legislative Standoff
Efforts to replace the STAAR test during the regular session centered on House Bill 4 (HB 4), but the proposal failed after disagreements between the Texas House and Senate proved too deep to reconcile. Both chambers supported eliminating the STAAR, but their visions for what would replace it differed significantly.
The Senate favored a state-developed, criterion-referenced assessment system, in which students are tested at the end of the school year against a fixed set of standards—such as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
The House, on the other hand, leaned toward a nationally norm-referenced test, to be administered three times a year—at the beginning, middle, and end. Norm-referenced tests compare student performance against a national sample, rather than a set curriculum.
The philosophical and logistical divide over which system better serves Texas students ultimately doomed HB 4 in a conference committee, where differences between the two chambers are typically resolved.
Costly and Controversial
The STAAR test has long been a lightning rod in Texas education policy. Introduced in 2012, it became the latest in a long line of statewide standardized tests dating back to 1979. Critics say it narrows curriculum, places undue stress on students and teachers, and has failed to meaningfully improve student outcomes.
The financial cost is also substantial. In 2021, Texas signed contracts totaling $388 million with companies in Washington, D.C. and London to administer and score the tests.
Recently, concerns have grown over the automated scoring system used by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Lawsuits from school districts and parents argue that the software may misgrade student responses, potentially affecting accountability ratings for schools and student outcomes.
According to the TEA, the scoring system uses a “hybrid” model, where an Automated Scoring Engine (ASE) first evaluates answers. At least 25% of those responses are then reviewed by human scorers to validate the machine’s accuracy.
Still, legal challenges and public skepticism remain. The STAAR test underwent a major redesign in 2023, which altered how the A–F accountability ratings for schools are calculated. Critics say the new system lacks transparency and doesn't address deeper concerns with how standardized tests influence teaching.
Despite lawsuits aimed at blocking the release of accountability scores under the revised system, courts twice sided with the TEA, allowing the ratings to be published. The TEA maintains that the changes were necessary after five years of using the same criteria, combined with disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Comes Next?
As the special session begins, lawmakers will once again be tasked with finding consensus on what should replace the STAAR test—if anything. While there is broad agreement that the current system needs reform, the path forward remains uncertain.
Any replacement must meet federal accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), ensure timely results for districts, and provide a clear, equitable way to measure student and school performance.
Educators, parents, and policymakers alike will be watching closely. For now, the question remains: Will Texas finally end the STAAR era, or will political divisions once again put reform out of reach?
Quick Facts: STAAR Test at a Glance
First implemented: 2011–2012 school year
Predecessors: TAKS, TAAS, TABS
Cost: $388 million in contracts (2021)
Scoring: Automated engine + human verification (25%)
Legal challenges: Over automated grading and accountability scores
%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png)
