Texas Unveils New Student Assessment System to Replace STAAR

The state's upcoming transition to a through-year testing model aims to provide more timely data for teachers and families.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:35pm

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A vibrant, abstract grid of brightly colored textbooks and pencils, conceptually representing the shift in Texas' student assessment system toward more frequent and personalized data to support learning.A bold, colorful celebration of the new era of student assessment in Texas, moving away from high-stakes testing toward a more supportive, data-driven approach.Austin Today

Texas is rolling out a new student assessment system called the Student Success Tool (SST) that will replace the current STAAR testing regime starting in the 2027-28 school year. The new system will feature three shorter tests per year instead of a single end-of-year exam, with results available within 48 hours to give teachers and families more actionable data. The changes were made in response to feedback from Texas families and educators who have long shared challenges with the current STAAR system.

Why it matters

The shift to the SST model represents a fundamental rethinking of when, how and why students are tested in Texas. The goal is to move away from high-stakes, stressful testing toward an approach that provides more timely and personalized information to support student learning throughout the year.

The details

Under the new SST system, students in grades 3-8 will take three assessments in core subjects at the beginning, middle and end of the school year, rather than a single end-of-year STAAR exam. The tests will be adaptive, meaning the questions will adjust based on how a student is responding to provide more precise data on their progress. High school students will continue to be assessed in Algebra I, Biology, English I, and U.S. History, but the English II exam will no longer be required for graduation.

  • STAAR testing for the 2025-26 academic year begins this week.
  • The new SST system will replace STAAR across Texas public schools starting in the 2027-28 school year.
  • The Texas Education Agency is required to submit a full implementation plan for the SST to the Legislature by February 15, 2027.

The players

Texas 2036

A nonpartisan public policy organization dedicated to improving lives and opportunities for all Texans through 2036, the state's bicentennial year, and beyond.

Mary Lynn Pruneda

Director of education and workforce policy for Texas 2036.

Brad Buckley

State Representative, R-Salado, who authored House Bill 8 that paved the way for the new SST system.

Paul Bettencourt

State Senator, R-Houston, who co-authored House Bill 8.

Trip Davis

K-12 education policy advisor for Texas 2036.

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What they’re saying

“For years, Texas families and educators have shared challenges with the current system. The state listened, and this new system is the result.”

— Mary Lynn Pruneda, Director of education and workforce policy, Texas 2036

“Testing isn't the goal — learning is. This new system is designed to give families and teachers the information they need, when they need it, so every child gets support.”

— Trip Davis, K-12 education policy advisor, Texas 2036

What’s next

The Texas Education Agency is required to submit a full implementation plan for the new Student Success Tool (SST) assessment system to the Legislature by February 15, 2027, ahead of the system's statewide rollout in the 2027-28 school year.

The takeaway

Texas' shift to a through-year testing model with the SST system represents a significant departure from the high-stakes, end-of-year STAAR exams. By providing more frequent and personalized data to teachers and families, the state aims to move away from a culture of 'teaching to the test' and instead focus on supporting student learning and growth throughout the academic year.