Texas CBE in 2027 — Unchanged by the STAAR-to-SST Transition (Full Guide to §28.023 + §74.24)
Among all the changes coming to Texas K-12 assessment — the STAAR system ending in December 2027, the Student Success Tool (SST) replacing it in 2027-28, the Florida B.E.S.T. transition, the New York Regents phase-out — one path stays completely unchanged: Credit by Examination (CBE). This guide explains exactly why CBE is unaffected by the STAAR-to-SST transition, the two routes available (free §28.023 district CBE and paid §74.24 UTHS-Texas Tech CBE), why accelerated students should pay attention, and how to actually navigate the system in 2026-27, 2027-28, and beyond.
This is an independent guide. Texas CBE™ is not affiliated with TEA, UTHS Texas Tech, or any Texas school district. CBE rules are statutory but procedural details (such as which exact CBE products a district offers) vary by campus — confirm specifics with your school counselor.
The 30-second answer for accelerated families
- CBE is governed by separate Texas statutes — TEC §28.023 (the free district CBE route) and 19 TAC §74.24 (the paid UTHS-Texas Tech route). Neither depends on STAAR or SST in any way.
- STAAR's December 2027 sunset does not affect CBE. The same is true of the SST going live in 2027-28.
- Both CBE routes continue indefinitely, granting course credit by exam — independent of whatever statewide testing system is in place.
- For acceleration: an 8th grader who passes Algebra 1 CBE earns the credit and skips Algebra 1 entirely in 9th grade. No STAAR EOC, no SST equivalent, no waiting.
What is CBE, exactly?
Credit by Examination (CBE) is a Texas mechanism that lets a student earn course credit by passing a comprehensive exam covering the course content — without sitting through the course itself. Texas law establishes two distinct CBE routes:
| Aspect | Free District CBE (TEC §28.023) | Paid UTHS-Texas Tech CBE (19 TAC §74.24) |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Texas Education Code §28.023 | 19 TAC §74.24 (state board rule) |
| Passing standard | 80% | 70% |
| Cost | Free (district must offer) | ~$90-$130/exam |
| Availability | District must offer ≥4 attempts/year per course | Year-round, online registration |
| Where administered | Your local school district | Approved proctor (school, library, Texas Tech) |
| Credit-granting authority | Local district | UTHS Texas Tech (accepted by Texas districts) |
| Format | Varies by district (paper or computer-based) | Computer-based via UTHS platform |
Why CBE is completely separate from STAAR (and SST)
This is the central confusion many Texas families have. Here's the clean answer:
- STAAR and SST are about state accountability — measuring how students perform across the entire state, scoring schools and districts, and meeting federal reporting requirements (ESSA).
- CBE is about granting course credit — letting an individual student demonstrate mastery and earn the credit by examination instead of sitting through the course.
- The two systems exist for different purposes, under different statutes, and operate independently.
An 8th grader who takes and passes Algebra 1 CBE has earned the Algebra 1 course credit. The next year (9th grade), the student moves directly to Geometry — they don't take Algebra 1 again, don't take STAAR Algebra 1 EOC, and (after 2027-28) won't take the SST Algebra 1 equivalent either. The credit is granted by exam, full stop.
2026-27, 2027-28, and beyond — CBE timeline at a glance
| Year | STAAR/SST | CBE |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | STAAR (3-8 Spring, EOC Fall+Spring+Summer) | CBE unchanged — both §28.023 and §74.24 routes |
| 2027-28 | SST goes live (replacing STAAR) | CBE unchanged |
| 2028-29 | SST (full operation) | CBE unchanged |
| 2029-30+ | SST (mature) | CBE unchanged |
The reason CBE doesn't change: it's a different mechanism under different law. Only changes to TEC §28.023 or 19 TAC §74.24 could alter CBE rules, and neither has been changed by the STAAR redesign legislation (HB 4, 88th Legislature).
Which CBE route should I choose? — Decision matrix
| Situation | Recommended route |
|---|---|
| First attempt at acceleration; cost-sensitive | Free §28.023 district CBE (80% threshold) |
| Student is close to mastery but 80% feels tight | Paid §74.24 UTHS CBE (70% threshold) — lower bar |
| District CBE schedule doesn't match family timing | Paid §74.24 UTHS CBE — year-round availability |
| Student missed the district CBE window | Paid §74.24 UTHS CBE — schedule flexibility |
| Student tried district CBE and missed by a few points | Paid §74.24 UTHS CBE may give the 10-point cushion needed |
| Multiple subjects to accelerate | Mix — free district for some, paid UTHS for scheduling on others |
How acceleration actually works with CBE
The most common acceleration path Texas families use:
- 7th-8th grade summer: student studies Algebra 1 content (with TEKS-aligned practice).
- Take Algebra 1 CBE: either free district CBE in fall, winter, spring, or summer (district must offer ≥4 attempts/year), or paid UTHS CBE year-round.
- Pass at 80% (district) or 70% (UTHS): course credit granted by exam, no STAAR EOC required for that credit.
- 9th grade: student enters high school taking Geometry, not Algebra 1. (Or further accelerated: Algebra 2.)
- Continue acceleration: Geometry CBE → Algebra 2 in 10th, Pre-Calc in 11th, Calculus in 12th.
Net result: a Texas student can be a full year (or more) ahead in math by 9th grade — without ever taking STAAR Algebra 1 EOC. Same approach works for Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, U.S. History, Chemistry, and other CBE-available courses.
Common misunderstandings about CBE
- Misunderstanding: "CBE is just STAAR with a different name." No. STAAR is a state accountability test. CBE is a credit-granting mechanism under separate statutes. Completely different purposes, formats, and rules.
- Misunderstanding: "My district doesn't offer CBE." Districts must offer free §28.023 CBE — it's statutory. If your district is unhelpful, the paid UTHS route is available regardless.
- Misunderstanding: "When STAAR ends, CBE ends too." No — they're separate systems. CBE continues independently.
- Misunderstanding: "CBE only works for elementary or middle school." CBE is available for high school courses too — including all STAAR EOC subjects. Many accelerated 9th-12th graders use CBE.
- Misunderstanding: "Once I take CBE, I can never take STAAR for that subject." Not quite. If you pass CBE, you've earned the credit and don't need STAAR for that course. If you fail CBE, you can still take the course (and STAAR EOC) normally.
How our practice aligns with CBE
Texas CBE™ is built around the TEKS for each subject — the same TEKS that CBE exams measure. Our 500+ Algebra 1 questions cover all 5 STAAR reporting categories (which mirror the TEKS Algebra 1 content), so the practice transfers directly to:
- Free §28.023 district CBE (Algebra 1 typically 50-question, multiple-choice format, 80% threshold)
- Paid §74.24 UTHS-Texas Tech CBE (Algebra 1 ~50-question, computer-based, 70% threshold)
- Current STAAR Algebra 1 EOC (through December 2027)
- Future SST Algebra 1 equivalent (2027-28 onward — same TEKS content)
Planning CBE Algebra 1 or another acceleration path? Try our Algebra 1 free sample — no signup, no payment. Scoring 85%+ cold typically signals CBE-ready for the §28.023 district route (80% threshold) and very ready for the §74.24 UTHS route (70% threshold). Other subjects: Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, SAT Math.
Related guides
- Texas STAAR 2026-2027 Testing Calendar — full schedule
- STAAR Algebra 1 EOC Retake 2027 — Summer + December + IGC
- Texas STAAR → SST Transition (2027-28)
Sources
- Texas Education Code §28.023 — Credit by Examination (free district route).
- 19 Texas Administrative Code §74.24 — Credit by Examination (state board rule for paid route).
- UTHS Texas Tech K-12 — Credit by Examination program.
- Texas Education Agency — Credit by Examination overview.
This is an independent guide. Texas CBE™ is not affiliated with TEA, UTHS Texas Tech, or any Texas school district. CBE procedures vary by campus — confirm specifics with your school counselor before relying on this guide.