The Texas House of Representatives has passed House Bill 4, a measure that seeks to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam with a new testing system composed of three shorter assessments administered throughout the academic year.
The bill, authored by State Representative Brad Buckley, proposes the elimination of the current standardized STAAR exams in favor of assessments given at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year.
Supporters of House Bill 4 argue that the new system would reduce testing-related stress and provide a more accurate picture of student progress over time.
They also say the change would move Texas away from a high-stakes testing environment and allow educators to better tailor instruction to individual student needs.
The bill also includes provisions to revise the state’s school accountability system, which is currently tied to STAAR test performance. If enacted, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would be responsible for implementing the new testing approach and ensuring alignment with educational standards.