Advocacy Blog

The State Board of Education’s Sept. 8–12 meeting also included TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s review of the 2025 A-F accountability ratings and a discussion of HB 8.

ATPE takes a deep dive into the biggest question about HB 8, the testing bill passed by the Texas Legislature during its second special session of 2025.

HB 8 has some positive, some potentially positive, and some negative aspects. We take a deeper look and answer the question: Does HB 8 increase the number of tests?

The new state ban took effect on Sept. 1, and Texas’ more than 1,200 public school districts have adopted policies ranging from secure phone pouches to increased monitoring.

A bill aimed at rebranding the STAAR test heads to Gov. Abbott’s desk after contentious debate on the House floor Wednesday night.

The second special session is over, and legislation that will alter Texas' testing and accountability system is headed to the governor's desk.

The STAAR redesign bill awaits its fate, and ATPE shares guidance on SB 12, the Parental Bill of Rights.

Senate Bill 8 will restrict restrooms in government buildings, public schools and universities based on sex assigned at birth and apply $25,000 fines for violations.

HB 8 promises additional transparency and quicker results, but it does not reduce the overall footprint of high-stakes testing in Texas public schools.

Democrats say recent changes to the bill give too much power to the TEA and fall short of meaningfully easing the pressures of standardized testing.