Texans Back Shorter Tests, Faster Results, and More Instructional Time Starting in 2027
A new statewide poll shows Texas voters overwhelmingly support the Legislature’s shift away from the once-a-year STAAR exam and toward a more instructional, student-focused assessment system. The reforms, passed in House Bill 8 during the 89th Legislature’s second special session, officially take effect today and will begin rolling out in Texas classrooms over the next two school years.
Education and policy leaders say the message from voters is unmistakable: Texans want testing that helps students learn, not testing that drains time and ramps up classroom stress. “Texans clearly favor shorter, instructionally useful tests that help teachers support students throughout the school year,” said Mary Lynn Pruneda, Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036. “HB 8 gives families faster information on academic progress and frees up teaching time in classrooms across the state.”
Voters Strongly Support HB 8
A survey of 1,001 registered voters conducted by Baselice & Associates shows broad, bipartisan support for each major component of the new system. Texans favor three shorter assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of the year by a 70% to 12% margin. Voters also overwhelmingly support getting results within 48 hours — 85% to 6% — and ending excessive practice testing to restore instructional time by a 79% to 8% margin. Clear accountability measures, including A–F ratings for districts and campuses, remain popular at 71% to 12%.
The poll results arrive as Texas continues to grapple with learning gaps. Texas 2036’s analysis of the 2025 STAAR results shows only about half of students are performing on grade level: 54% in reading, 43% in math, 46% in science, and 49% in social studies. Despite modest gains from the previous year, scores remain below pre-pandemic levels. Supporters say the new system will give teachers and parents information earlier — when they can still intervene.
Tests are a part of life, Pruneda said. With only 50% of students on grade level, now is not the time to be backing away from giving parents accurate information on how students are doing. For students, the new system will result in more learning and less test prep.
The Texas Education Agency will pilot components of the system over the next two academic years, including teacher review panels and district-level preparation for the 2027 launch.
The Baselice survey was conducted Nov. 7–13, 2025, and carries a margin of error of ±3.1%.
