Beginning in December 2025, several changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will take effect, following the passage of House Bill 8 during a recent special legislative session. While most provisions from the legislation are scheduled for implementation in the 2027-2028 school year, four specific adjustments will be enacted earlier.
House Bill 8 does not remove STAAR testing but introduces modifications to its administration and communication with families. Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented on the changes, stating: “They’ve just rebranded it.”
One key change is that schools may now administer STAAR assessments on the first Monday of each testing window without submitting a separate notice. Districts still retain flexibility within the two-week assessment period and can choose whether or not to test on Mondays.
To address concerns about student stress related to testing, the commissioner is required to ensure that test procedures include steps aimed at reducing potential anxiety. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has updated both onscreen directions for students and verbal instructions provided by test administrators. These revisions appear in the new 2025–2026 STAAR Test Administrator Manual. TEA also plans to consider further changes when a new assessment system is introduced in 2027–2028.
Additionally, school districts must provide parents and guardians with access to their child’s state assessment results through the Texas Assessment Family Portal via local parent portals. Districts are also required to notify families whenever new results become available.
The TEA must make it easier for parents and guardians to view their children’s state assessment outcomes using this online portal.
