HB 8 heads to governor's desk as second special session comes to a close
Date Posted: 9/04/2025
On Wednesday evening, the House confirmed the Senate amendments to House Bill (HB) 8—the STAAR bill—and finally passed the bill, then adjourned sine die. The Senate adjourned sine die in the early morning hours of Thursday.
HB 8 is now headed to the governor's desk. Thank you to the hundreds of ATPE members who contacted their House members yesterday in a last attempt to prevent this legislation from moving forward. Look for a full report here on Teach the Vote later today.
CONVERSATION
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
02/06/2026
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Feb. 6, 2026
A special election runoff in Texas Senate (SD) 9 results in a dramatic party flip in a Republican stronghold.
02/06/2026
Congress finally unveils long-awaited education budget after another brief government shutdown
Texas schools are receiving short-term stability in key federal supports but no new fiscal capacity to address growing student needs, staffing challenges, or service mandates.
02/05/2026
How does the first round of Senate interim charges relate to public education?
Senate Finance will study lowering the homestead exemption age from 65 to 55, and Senate Education will study the influence of federal or state-designated hostile agents or their surrogates on public schools.
This is a joke more work and testing for students. Life lessons that need to be taught in classrooms. That’s what is wrong with our students it’s always test and no teaching. I love my job but we just go through school each day teaching testing and not teaching our students respect, responsibility ,love and getting a long no matter the situation. It’s ok to have different opinions, you have your opinions but care for each other. But no it’s always about the test, and now more test and paper work for students. Please come follow me one day in the real world of classrooms not your private and not the upper schools come to the inter school classrooms. Thanks! With love and care for students who don’t really can’t speak are have a voice.