Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, along with many educators and students, have tried for years to get rid of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness but some remain skeptical of a proposal to replace the exam with three smaller tests staggered throughout the year, a measure that passed the state House on Tuesday.

Proposals from Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, aim to eliminate the STAAR test and instead require students to take less intense “support” exams at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Results would be available within 48 hours, providing teachers with “timely data to adjust their instruction,” according to the bill authors.

The new law, if signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, would become effective for the 2027-28 school y

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