Hotline readers know that House Bill 8, passed during the second special session this year, does not “eliminate STAAR.” As Texas AFT President Zeph Capo said at the time, “They’ve just rebranded it.” While most aspects of the legislation will be implemented in the 2027-2028 school year, four specific changes from HB 8 go into effect starting in December 2025.
Monday Testing
HB 8 repealed the prohibition on the administration of STAAR on the first Monday of each testing window. STAAR assessments may now be administered on the first Monday without the submission of a Monday testing notice. School districts still have the flexibility of scheduling assessments during the two-week testing windows and may decide not to test on a Monday.
Test Anxiety Mitigation
The commissioner must ensure test administration procedures include instructions to help mitigate potential student test anxiety. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has updated the onscreen directions students read on their own, as well as the directions that test administrators must read to students. The new language is included in the updated 2025–2026 STAAR Test Administrator Manual. TEA will consider additional changes to mitigate test anxiety for the new assessment that goes into effect in the 2027–2028 school year.
Results Notification
School districts must provide parents and guardians access to the Texas Assessment Family Portal through a local parent portal and must notify parents and guardians each time state assessment results are available.
Simplified Access to Results
TEA must provide parents and guardians with easy access to their child’s state assessment results via the Texas Assessment Family Portal.