Support HB 8 – Put Students and Families First in Texas Education

I am writing as a concerned Texan and parent to urge you to support House Bill 8 and ensure that it reflects the needs of our children, families, and schools. For too long, the STAAR exam—or whatever standardized test replaces it—has been given an outsized role in rating our schools. This overreliance on a single test not only narrows curriculum and teaching but also unfairly reduces the richness of a child’s education to one snapshot on one day. House Bill 8 takes an important step forward by reducing the dominance of STAAR in school accountability, which will allow schools to be evaluated in a way that better reflects the full scope of student learning and achievement. Just as importantly, I strongly support the inclusion of Parent Engagement as a core measure of school accountability. Families are essential partners in a child’s education, and their involvement is a proven predictor of student success. Measuring and encouraging parent engagement will strengthen the bond between schools and communities, ensuring that accountability isn’t just about test scores but also about how well schools welcome, support, and collaborate with families. House Bill 8 represents an opportunity to move Texas toward a more balanced, student-centered approach to education—one that values whole-child development, real-world skills, and meaningful partnerships with parents. I urge you to support these reforms and ensure that they remain a central part of HB 8 as it advances. Thank you for your commitment to Texas students and families.