If you’re a Texas teacher or parent trying to keep up with all the talk about getting rid of the STAAR test, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of buzz right now about how testing and accountability might change in our state. But before we look ahead, it helps to understand how we got here. Because the truth is—Texas testing has always been evolving.
So let’s take a walk down memory lane and explore how Texas has assessed student learning over the years. Knowing the past helps us make sense of what could be coming next.
📃 Texas State Testing Timeline
Here’s a quick snapshot of how our testing system has changed over time:
| Test Name | Years Active | Main Focus | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| TABS | 1980–1985 (6 years) | Basic reading, math, and writing | First statewide basic skills test |
| TEAMS | 1986–1990 (5 years) | Minimum skills for graduation | First required for a diploma |
| TAAS | 1991–2002 (12 years) | Academic skills + promotion requirements | Added accountability to schools and students |
| TAKS | 2003–2011 (9 years) | Broader subjects & graduation checks | More grades tested; more stakes |
| STAAR | 2012–2022 (11 years) | College & career readiness | Introduced higher rigor and deeper thinking requirements |
| STAAR Redesign | 2022–Present (3+ years*) | Enhanced tech-based question types | Multiselect, hot text, and other question formats now part of the test |
*As of 2025 and potentially changing under HB 4
🧠 A Closer Look at Each Test
TABS (Texas Assessment of Basic Skills) The first official statewide test, TABS focused on basic reading, math, and writing skills in elementary grades. It wasn’t tied to promotion or graduation, but it marked the beginning of state-level accountability.
TEAMS (Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills) TEAMS was the first Texas test to tie results to graduation. It measured whether students had learned minimum competencies in reading, math, and writing and had real stakes for high schoolers.
TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills) TAAS raised the bar and brought in more subjects like science and social studies. It included performance standards that affected student promotion and began to shape school accountability ratings.
TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) TAKS aligned more closely to the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and expanded testing across more grade levels. It also included exit-level exams for high school graduation and introduced a higher level of rigor.
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) STAAR came in with a focus on college and career readiness. It introduced time limits, more rigorous content, and a focus on deeper understanding. STAAR results play a big role in campus and district accountability ratings. In 2022, STAAR was redesigned to include a wider variety of question types (like multiselect and hot text) and incorporate technology-enhanced items. STAAR results continue to play a big role in campus and district accountability ratings.
🔍 What Does This Mean for the Future?
In Spring 2025, Texas lawmakers have been hard at work debating what might replace the STAAR test. The Texas House and Senate have introduced different versions of House Bill 4 (HB 4), which propose big changes to how testing and accountability could work moving forward.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Both versions of HB 4 propose replacing the STAAR test with a new system that assesses students three times per year (beginning, middle, and end).
- These new assessments would be shorter and more instructional, giving teachers real-time feedback.
- There’s discussion about how the new test would align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
- The Senate version also suggests that open-ended responses would be graded with teacher input, rather than relying only on automated systems.
But here’s the important part: Nothing is final yet.
As of the date of this post (May 2025), lawmakers are still working out the details. Some elements are still being debated, and it’s unclear how quickly things will move. Even if a new law passes soon, a complete overhaul of the testing system would likely take a few years to roll out.
✅ Why This Matters
If you’re a parent or teacher, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the changes and legislative updates. But if there’s one thing the timeline above shows us, it’s this:
Texas testing has changed many times before. And we’ve adapted every time.
Education is always evolving. As we possibly turn the page on STAAR, it’s helpful to know that change doesn’t mean chaos—it means progress. The key is staying informed and flexible.
I’ll be keeping close tabs on everything happening at the Capitol and breaking it all down in simple, plain English as updates roll in.
👉 Want the full scoop on House Bill 4?
I’ve put together a separate post that breaks down exactly what HB 4 proposes, how the House and Senate versions differ, and what it could all mean for Texas teachers, students, and schools. If you’re ready to dig into the details, click here to read the full breakdown.
📅 Want to Stay in the Loop?
If you want an easy way to stay informed without having to decode legal documents or sit through long hearings, you can join my email list. I’ll be sharing updates directly with teachers and parents as soon as I learn more.
