Texas is replacing the STAAR test with the Student Success Tool (SST) under House Bill 8 — three shorter tests across the year instead of one big spring exam, starting 2027-28. Here's what's confirmed, in plain English.
The Student Success Tool (SST) is the statutory name for the new Texas assessment that replaces STAAR. Created by House Bill 8 (signed September 17, 2025), it swaps one high-stakes spring test for a through-year model — three shorter checks spread across the school year. It covers grades 3-8 (and Spanish grades 3-5) and stays aligned to Texas's own TEKS standards. The goal: give teachers useful results during the year instead of one score that arrives after the year is over.
Source: TEA — Overview of House Bill 8
A check near the start of the school year to see where each student stands.
A mid-year check to measure growth and flag students who need support.
The end-of-year measure — its results return to schools within 48 hours.
Together, these three windows replace STAAR's single spring test. Schools use the TEA-provided end-of-year assessment, and its results come back within 48 hours.
Source: TEA — HB 8 FAQs (October 2025)
Students take the current STAAR test. Nothing changes this year.
The last full year of STAAR. The final STAAR administration is spring 2027.
Students take the new three-test SST for the first time, replacing STAAR.
| STAAR (now) | Student Success Tool (2027-28) | |
|---|---|---|
| How often students test | One big test in spring | Three shorter tests across the year (BOY, MOY, EOY) |
| How fast results come back | Weeks to months | End-of-year results within 48 hours |
| Grades & subjects | Grades 3-8 (math, reading, plus science & social studies in some grades) | Grades 3-8 and Spanish grades 3-5 |
| Standards | TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) | TEKS — Texas keeps its own standards |
| High-school English II exam | English II end-of-course test given | English II end-of-course test eliminated |
| First year in effect | Through the 2026-27 school year | Starting the 2027-28 school year |
Source: TEA — Overview of House Bill 8
Under HB 8, end-of-year results return to schools within 48 hours — so families and teachers see how a student did almost immediately, instead of waiting weeks or months as with STAAR.
Source: TEA — HB 8 FAQs (October 2025)
HB 8 eliminates the English II end-of-course exam. Texas also keeps its own TEKS standards — the SST measures the same content standards as STAAR, so what kids are expected to learn doesn't change.
Some details are still being finalized. As of June 2026, the Texas Education Agency has not released the SST's cut scores, performance levels, or full test-format specifics. We'll update this page as those are published — and we only post what TEA has officially confirmed.
STAAR is being replaced by the Student Success Tool (SST), a new Texas assessment created under House Bill 8. Instead of one big end-of-year test, the SST uses three shorter tests across the school year — beginning, middle, and end of year.
The Student Success Tool (SST) is the statutory name for the assessment that replaces STAAR in Texas under HB 8. It is a through-year system: three checks per year for grades 3-8 (and Spanish grades 3-5), aligned to the same TEKS standards Texas already uses.
Yes. House Bill 8, signed September 17, 2025, replaces STAAR with the Student Success Tool starting the 2027-28 school year. STAAR continues through 2025-26 and 2026-27, with the final STAAR administration in spring 2027.
HB 8 is the Texas law (passed in the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and signed September 17, 2025) that repeals and replaces STAAR with the Student Success Tool, sets up the three-test through-year model, speeds up score returns, and eliminates the English II end-of-course exam. Note: HB 8 is the law that passed — an earlier bill, HB 4, did not become law.
The biggest difference is timing: STAAR is one high-stakes spring test, while the SST spreads testing across three shorter windows (BOY, MOY, EOY) so teachers see results during the year. End-of-year results return within 48 hours, and the English II end-of-course exam is eliminated. Both stay aligned to the TEKS standards.
The SST covers grades 3-8, plus Spanish for grades 3-5 — the same grade band STAAR covered.
Yes. Texas keeps its own TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards. The SST measures the same standards STAAR did — the change is in how and how often students are tested, not the curriculum standards.
Not yet. As of now, the Texas Education Agency has not released SST cut scores, performance levels, or full test-format details. Those are expected ahead of the 2027-28 rollout. This page will be updated as TEA publishes them.
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