Texas 2036

Texas voters overwhelmingly support the Legislature’s new model for student assessment, which replaces the once-a-year STAAR exam with three shorter tests that give teachers and parents timely information during the school year to better support student success. Lawmakers approved the changes in House Bill 8, which passed this summer during the 89th Legislature’s second special session and takes effect today.

Q: The new approach requires three tests in reading and math each year, with the results available within 48 hours, so parents and teachers can quickly give students the help they need to improve and succeed.

A new statewide poll of 1,001 voters conducted by Baselice & Associates, Inc. for Texas 2036 shows broad, bipartisan support for the key elements of the new system. Texans favor:

• Three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year, by 70% to 12%, a margin of 58 points.
• Test results available within 48 hours, by 85% to 6%, a margin of 79 points.
• Ending excessive practice tests and restoring instructional time, by 79% to 8%, a margin of 71 points.
• Clear and consistent accountability, including A–F ratings assigned to districts and school campuses, by 71% to 12%, a margin of 59 points.

Voters also reaffirmed their support for transparency and accountability, with strong majorities saying taxpayers deserve clear, comparable information about school performance.

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• Voters support action on healthcare prices
• Voters strongly support new approach to student testing
• Texas support a new era of students testing
• From the Right: What GOP voters want Texas leaders to focus on
• From the Left: Where Democratic voters want Texas leaders’ focus
• Texans tell us how they feel about crime and safety
• Texans voice concerns over health care prices and poor value
• What’s on Texas voters’ minds?
• Poll: Texas voters want candidates focused on everyday challenges

As a pivotal election approaches with Texas’ statewide leaders on the ballot, voters are indicating that they will back candidates with plans to address everyday concerns like healthcare, homeowners’ insurance and the quality of education.

Issues: Infrastructure, Healthcare, Workforce, Education

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Despite lingering concerns about the future, a majority of voters remain optimistic about Texas’ potential to address these issues head-on, demonstrating Texas voters’ desire for practical, future-oriented solutions.

Issues: Infrastructure, Health Care, Workforce, Childcare, Housing, Education, Criminal Justice, Artificial Intelligence

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Rising housing costs and workforce readiness emerged as dominant themes. Voters across party lines backed investment in technical education and job training.

Issues: Education, Energy, Health Care, Property Insurance

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Texas voters indicate strong support for using budget surplus to increase public education and water infrastructure funding along with lowering property taxes.

Issues: Education, Water, Cybersecurity, Property Insurance, State Parks

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Texas voters are increasingly concerned about the state’s future, but their support for solutions on core-governance issues offers leaders a roadmap for strengthening voter confidence and moving Texas forward.

Issues: Economy, Government Performance, Education, Workforce, Criminal Justice, Infrastructure 

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A year after Winter Storm Uri knocked out electricity and water across Texas, a new poll shows most voters share deep concerns about extreme weather, and they support an expanded approach to the state’s economic future and infrastructure challenges.

Issues: Economy, Education, Energy, Health Care, Government Performance

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Texas voters are increasingly concerned about the state’s future — and they overwhelmingly want leaders to take advantage of billions of federal stimulus dollars coming to Texas to facilitate long-term solutions.

Issues: Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, State Parks

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Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this poll found economic recover and public health topping voter concerns.

Issues: Health Care, Workforce, Education

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Conducted just before the COVID-19 pandemic, this poll found voters sharing concerns about infrastructure, healthcare, and workforce development.

Issues: Healthcare, Workforce, Infrastructure

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