AUSTIN, TX – In the final days of the 89th 2nd Called Special Session, the Texas House gave final passage to House Bill 8 (HB 8) with a key Senate amendment to restore the critical 8th grade social studies test and US History end of course exam. HB 8, authored by House Public Education Chair Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado) and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) is a priority bill of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows, and now heads to Governor Abbott’s desk. The bill eliminates the STAAR test and replaces it with three shorter supportive assessments while restoring annual A–F public school accountability ratings and protecting taxpayers from lawfare against the state’s accountability system.

“Chair Brad Buckley’s leadership was so important to the bill’s passage,” remarked Sen. Bettencourt. “What gets measured gets fixed, and HB 8 measures what matters, student success,” Bettencourt adds. “HB 8 will restore classroom time, end wasteful lawsuits, and prepare Texas students for real-world achievement. And tests on History are important too!”

The bill follows a 2nd major legal victory for the state’s A–F system when the 15th Court of Appeals unanimously ruled to release the 2023–2024 ratings, defeating ongoing “lawfare” from plaintiff ISD’s who challenged it. HB 8 ensures that “lawfare” cannot undermine academic accountability again.

Key Reforms in HB 8:

• STAAR replaced by 3 shorter tests (Beginning-, Middle-, End-of-Year) starting in 2027–28.
• Fast results: teacher and parent feedback in 48 hours, raw scores 2 days upon completion
• Limits overtesting: benchmark testing capped to return classroom time to teachers.
• Annual A–F ratings required; “Not Rated” designations banned.
• Protects Taxpayers: prohibits frivolous lawsuits against Pub. Ed. accountability measures.
• Top 5 goal: refreshes cut scores every 5 years to place Texas among top states in 15 years.

House Public Education Chair Rep. Brad Buckley on Bettencourt’s leadership on HB 8:
“HB 8 delivers real insight for teachers and parents and shifts the emphasis back to real learning. Senator Bettencourt’s tireless work to restore accountability ensures transparency and fairness for students, families, and educators across Texas.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick echoing final passage of HB 8: “When I was Senate Education Chair for 13 years, I have worked to reduce the burden of STAAR. HB 8, championed by Sen. Bettencourt in the Senate finally replaces it with a system that measures true student growth.”

HB 8 takes effect 91 days after adjournment of the legislative session with full transition in 2027–28.

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