Gov. Abbott Awaits Bill to Replace STAAR Test with Three Smaller Exams
A bill that would eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test and replace it with three shorter exams has been sent to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for his signature. If signed, House Bill 8 would fundamentally change the state’s approach to standardized testing, with the new system scheduled to take effect in the 2027-2028 school year.
Instead of a single, high-stakes exam at the end of the year, the new system would require students to take three shorter assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Supporters of the bill, including its author Republican Representative Brad Buckley, say this new approach would reduce the high-stakes environment of the current exam, provide faster feedback to teachers and parents, and allow for more frequent monitoring of student growth.
Mixed Reactions from Educators, Parents, and Lawmakers
The proposed changes have been met with a mix of support and criticism from various stakeholders.
Educators: The Texas American Federation of Teachers has voiced opposition, arguing the bill does not go far enough to reform the high-stakes accountability system and instead simply increases the number of standardized tests. However, some educators, including superintendents from districts like Tyler ISD, have helped craft the bill and support the move, believing it will free up instructional time and provide more actionable data.
Parents: Some parents welcome the change, expressing that the single-day, high-stakes test is too stressful for students. Others, however, share concerns with the bill, with one parent group stating that the bill “rebrands STAAR testing, it does not abolish STAAR testing” and fundamentally misunderstands the complaints of parents and educators by adding more tests throughout the year.
Lawmakers: The bill passed the House with a vote of 79-47, with strong support from Republicans. However, some lawmakers, particularly Democrats like State Representative Gina Hinojosa, have been critical, arguing that the bill does not do enough to reduce the pressure on students and gives too much power to the Texas Education Agency in creating the new assessments.
She has called on the Governor to veto the bill, writing in a statement, “No parent asked for more STAR testing. No student asked for more STAR testing. No teacher asked for more STAR testing.”
Chair of the Public Education Committee in the Texas House, Brad Buckley, (R-Salado)
Public meetings will be held Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss options for 12 schools in the Austin ISD that are facing closure in the wake of failing grades from the TEA.
The 12 schools are Winn Montessori School, Barrington, Dawson, Linder, Oak Springs, Pecan Springs, Sanchez, Widen and Wooldridge elementary schools and Bedichek, Martin and Paredes middle schools. (KUT 90.5)
“I do hope that luck will rub off on everybody.” –Melanie Carter, manager of Big’s
A convenience store in Gillespie County on Highway 290 in Fredericksburg sold one of the two winning Powerball tickets from Saturday night’s drawing and the holder will split a $1.8 billion jackpot with a winner in Missouri.
There was another winner in Austin who matched five out of the six numbers, earning themselves a $1 million cash prize.
Neither of those winners have come forward to the Texas lottery commission to claim those prizes, but have 90 days to do so.
#AustinLogogate
Austin’s newly unveiled city logo has had a tough first week.
At Guerrero Thompson Elementary, families flee, students unravel and teachers struggle as law enforcement expands immigration operations onto school grounds. (Austin American-Statesman)
A motorcyclist is in the hospital with serious injuries after a crash Sunday morning in Dale.
Just over three months after catastrophic flooding devastated northwestern Travis County, family members held a joint funeral for their loved ones who lost their lives.
Texas taco chain Tacodeli is about to open its newest location in Cedar Park with plans for three new restaurants: another in North Austin, one in Leander and one in Katy. (Austin Business Journal)
A study from the University of Texas indicates a higher concentration of microplastics at the mouths of Austin’s major urban tributaries, like Shoal and Waller creeks.
The majority of particles found in samples had tire and road origins, compared to lower numbers of plastic fibers or fragments broken off of other plastic products. (Austin Monitor)
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AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
One person was killed and several others were hurt in a Liberty County sports bar shooting early Sunday.
Meanwhile, an 11-year-old Harris County boy shot and killed by a man after a doorbell prank has been laid to rest.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is leaving open the option of calling a third special session of the Texas Legislature.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn‘s team took their trolling of his primary opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, to a new level.
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is expected to announce a Senate run.
Lawmakers ended the special session after pushing through bills in response to the deadly July floods. With families of the girls who died at Camp Mystic watching, Gov. Abbott signed them into laws. Adam Schwager reports on the changes meant to protect children, and how one family is responding to the new laws.
Improvements to the state’s troubled Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund are in place, after a new law takes effect. The changes come after our investigative reports uncovered months-long delays for victims of violent crimes trying to get help.
Investigator Matt Grant digs into how the changes can be a lifeline for people looking to recover after a crime.
Big changes are underway at the Texas Lottery. Dylan McKim reports on how a new agency is taking over and how the transition could affect people who play the games.
A new state law is supposed to cut down on delays for people receiving child support payments. But our investigation found frustration among single parents who are still facing problems. Investigator Arezow Doost looks closer at the concerns, and why some parents say they’re not hopeful that the new law will help them.
(Episode from September 7, 2025)
A Texas woman will spend six years in prison for setting fire to a church in Washington.. Natasha Marie O’Dell, 38, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle on three felonies related to the arson of Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Snohomish County. (FOX 7 Austin)
Aransas County buys 950-acre Copano Cove Ranch for conservation, aided by a $2.6M Texas General Land Office grant, supporting 3,000+ species.
Texas is seeing an explosion of cases of typhus, a disease that, if untreated, can be fatal. The state now reports the most flea-borne typhus cases in the nation, and that more than 6,700 cases were recorded from 2008–2023, with about 70% of patients hospitalized and 14 deaths attributed over that span. (Texas Public Radio)
The number of finance industry jobs in Texas increased more than 14% from 2023 to 2024. Texas is one of the country’s heavy-hitters when it comes to initial public offerings, per recent SEC data. (Axios)
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC are getting hot at the right time.
Austin FC won for the second consecutive weekend, defeating Sporting KC 2-1 at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday night. Owen Wolff tallied a goal and an assist, becoming the team’s leader in goal contributions with 14 in all competitions this season. CJ Fodrey scored the winner, his first career MLS goal. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
NFL: A late, costly fumble kept the Houston Texans out of the win column in their season opener.
Behind a record-setting day from Matthew Stafford, the Houston Texans fumbled away their chance to win over the Los Angeles Rams when Dare Ogunbowale was stripped by Nate Landman with 1:43 to play in a 14-9 loss at SoFi Stadium.. (Yahoo! Sports)
“We didn’t deserve to win that game because we didn’t do the right things. When you come out in the NFL lollygagging and going through the motions, that kind of happens. I think we’ll be all right, but I think it’s a good wakeup call for us.”
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took his team to task. (NFL.com)
ON THE SCHEDULE
MLB: The in-state series goes to the Texas Rangers.
Jake Burger followed Josh Jung’s tiebreaking double with a two-run homer off Framber Valdez in the sixth inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Sunday to keep pace in the American League wild-card race. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Astros have the day off.
AL WEST STANDINGS
WILD CARD RACE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Texas Longhorns remain at No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
Texas Football – San Jose State Recap | LIVE | 9/8/25
The scenic highways of West Texas.
