STAAR Test Lives On

June 1, 2025 – A legislative push to eliminate the STAAR test failed in the final days of the Texas legislative session, ending hopes for major reform in the state’s student assessment system. House Bill 4, authored by Rep. Brad Buckley, proposed replacing the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) with three shorter exams spread across the academic year. Supporters argued this approach would reduce pressure on students and provide more timely feedback to educators.

Despite passing in the House, the bill stalled after closed-door negotiations between the Senate and House failed to yield a compromise before a critical deadline. The impasse ultimately prevented the measure from moving forward, disappointing educators, parents, and lawmakers who have long criticized the STAAR test for contributing to student stress and narrowing classroom instruction.

The failed effort highlights ongoing divisions over how best to assess academic progress in Texas. While proponents of change say the STAAR system is outdated and overly punitive, others defend it as a necessary tool for accountability. With the session now over, STAAR will remain in place for the foreseeable future, and any future attempts at reform will have to wait until the next legislative session.