SAN ANTONIO — A shakeup is coming to how Texas students are tested.

House Bill 8, signed into law by the governor on Wednesday, phases out the STAAR exam as we know it.

Starting in 2027, students will be required to take three shorter tests throughout the year.

Some are saying the new testing will add stress for students and teachers. Those for the change believe it will give teachers the right benchmarks to keep their students on track.

In an August public education house committee meeting, Alamo Heights ISD Assistant Superintendent Jimmie Walker asked the committee to consider the bill.

“Legislative staff work incredibly hard, but they may not have the lived realities of counseling a student with testing anxiety or working a district through an accountability reset," Walker said.

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