The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the highly criticized State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.

Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8 , the new law.

“House Bill 8 ends the high-stakes and high-stress nature of one test, one day,” bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said before the Texas House gave final approval to the measure Sept. 3.

Buckley said at the time that the new law will reduce test-related anxiety; giv

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