On September 3, 2025, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 8 (HB 8), marking an important milestone in advancing student success and strengthening public trust in Texas education. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.

HB 8 builds on the state’s assessment and accountability system by streamlining assessments to drive instruction, elevating teacher voice, and ensuring families have clearer, more timely information about student progress.

“The Legislature has heard the concerns of parents, teachers, and communities and delivered a smarter, student-centered assessment system in HB 8,” said Cary Wright, CEO of Good Reason Houston. “This reform strengthens Texas’ approach and keeps the focus squarely on student learning, putting us on a path to stronger schools and brighter futures for our students.”

What HB 8 Changes

HB 8 retains the core strengths of Texas’ assessment and accountability system, while making key improvements:

• Shorter, smarter assessments: By the 2027-2028 school year, STAAR will be replaced with a through-year model that measures student progress at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Paired with a later testing window for end-of-year assessments and restrictions on redundant testing, HB 8 returns more time to classroom instruction and reduces testing burdens.

• Faster results: Teachers and families will receive results within two business days of the testing window, enabling quicker, data-informed decisions to customize student learning.

• Elevated teacher voice: A formal educator review process ensures Texas teachers help shape assessment design, keeping tests fair, on grade level, and instructionally relevant.

• Transparency and trust: HB 8 ensures A-F accountability ratings are released annually, providing communities, and policymakers consistent insight into how schools are serving students. It also provides school systems with advance notice of future adjustments, so they can make responsive changes to support student growth.

• Postsecondary alignment: HB 8 directs TEA to study how weighting college and career readiness measures in the A–F system could better reflect long-term outcomes like wage attainment and workforce opportunities.

While the bill put forward strong changes for assessment and accountability, it also eliminated the English II end-of-course exam, which provides critical information about students’ reading and writing proficiency and their readiness for postsecondary success. 

Looking Ahead

Upon signing, HB 8 marks a new chapter for public education in Texas. Good Reason Houston will continue to work alongside districts to support a smooth transition and ensure these changes deliver meaningful improvements for students and families. At the same time, we are committed to working with policymakers on how best to evaluate high school performance, including restoring critical measures like the English II end-of-course exam, so that every graduate leaves prepared for postsecondary success and long-term economic mobility.