Texas is entering a new chapter in how we measure student learning. Conversations are swirling about what could come after we retire the current state assessment, the STAAR exam.
That includes questions like: What needs to change? How can we do better?
Evolving our systems is part of how we improve. But as we look ahead, we cannot afford to lose what has made Texas a reliable leader in school transparency. We should build on the good things that we’ve done, not bulldoze them altogether.
Assessment is not just about testing. It is about accurately measuring learning. At its best, a statewide assessment is a tool for transparency, for accountability, and for action. Texas has gotten important parts of that right, and we should protect them.
First, STAAR is made for Texas, by Texas. The test is built around our own academic standards and reviewed by Texas teachers who understand what mastery looks like in our classrooms. These teachers are able to assess if the questions are actually on grade level and are connected to real classroom experience. That’s not just a technical detail. It is vital that our assessment is grounded in the priorities and expectations of this state, not borrowed from elsewhere or driven by generic benchmarks.
Second, STAAR measures whether students are meeting Texas grade-level standards, not just whether they are progressing, or trying, or even just doing better than their peers. It answers the fundamental question that every parent and policymaker should be asking: are our students on track? Often students can be bringing home A’s and B’s on report cards but may still struggle to read on grade level.Surveys found that nine in 10 parents believe that their students are on grade level in reading, a startling number when the reality in Texas is that only 54% of students are actually on grade level. A strong assessment system helps bring clarity and honesty so that students can receive the support they need. We should not walk away from that.
Third, STAAR raised the bar for transparency. Parents can log in and see exactly how their child answered each question. They can see where their child struggled and where they succeeded. That kind of visibility builds trust. It puts real information in the hands of families and opens the door to meaningful conversations among parents, students, and teachers on how to put students on the path to success.
And finally, STAAR provides consistent, statewide data that helps leaders make better decisions. When the same rules apply across the board, we can see where progress is happening, where resources are needed, and where systems are working, or not. A strong assessment equips district leaders and teachers with the information needed to improve instruction, adopt new programs, and implement best practices. It ensures that success isn’t defined differently from district to district or clouded by subjective measures.
This type of decision making is what makes a difference for students. Campuses using state assessment data to implement initiatives like the Additional Day School Year Program have increased achievement by as much as 17 percentage points in a single year.
We can absolutely make the next chapter of assessment even stronger. We can streamline, modernize and ensure that results come faster and with better context for both teachers and parents. But we should not lose pieces of what has made STAAR valuable.
Texas students deserve a system that tells the truth about how they’re doing and helps adults take action. That’s what assessments are for. As we move forward, let’s be bold about improving it, and just as bold about preserving what works.
Gabe Grantham is an education policy advisor for Texas 2036, a nonprofit public policy organization dedicated to improving opportunities for all Texans through Texas’ bicentennial year and beyond.
