Update on Bids Submitted for Supplemental Science Instructional Materials
January 20, 2011
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: The request for Supplemental Science instructional materials was issued by the State Board of Education (SBOE) in May 2010 for high school Supplemental Science in Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), and Physics and grades 5-8. On May 21, 2010, staff presented cost models for the board to consider for Supplemental Science instructional materials. During the September meeting, the board removed the request for Supplemental Science Materials for grades 5-8. On November 19, 2010, the SBOE re-issued the Request for Supplemental Science Materials to include grades 5-8. According to the timeline approved by the SBOE, the Notice of Intent for Bids were due on December 10, 2010; the deadline for samples is April 29, 2011; the review is scheduled to occur in June 2011; the adoption is scheduled for July 2011; and materials are scheduled to be available for schools in August 2011. This item will provide an opportunity for the SBOE to discuss a summary of the Notice of Intent for Bids received.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.035.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The request for Supplemental Science instructional materials was issued by the State Board of Education (SBOE) in May 2010 for high school Supplemental Science instructional materials for Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), and Physics and grades 5-8. The SBOE approved the Question and Answer document on July 21, 2010. In September 2010, the board adopted a new timeline for the submission, review, and adoption of instructional materials in high school. The question and answer document was also amended to reflect the new timeline changes. During the September meeting, the board removed the request for Supplemental Science Materials for grades 5-8. In November 2010, the board re-issued the Request for Supplemental Science Materials to include grades 5-8 and approved a different timeline than the high school adoption. The high school materials are scheduled to be adopted in April 2011 and provided to school districts in May of 2011. Materials for grades 5-8 are scheduled to be adopted in July 2011 and provided to school districts in August of 2011.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: The SBOE will consider adoption of the Supplemental Science instructional materials for grades 5-8 in July 2011 so that the instructional materials will be available to school districts for the 2011-2012 school year.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: Adoption of instructional materials in science occurred in November 1999 under Proclamation 1997 and in November 2001 under Proclamation 1999. The SBOE adopted new Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in 2009. Due to budget concerns, Proclamation 2012 for K-12 Science materials was not issued. The SBOE called for Supplemental Science Materials for grades 5-8 to provide materials that cover the new TEKS.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The request for Supplemental Science materials will provide an opportunity for publishers to submit instructional materials that cover the new science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for specific grade levels and science courses.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: It is the intent of staff to provide a summary of submitted Notice of Intent for Bids related to the request for Supplemental Science instructional materials for grades 5-8.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Norma Torres-Martinez, Deputy Associate Commissioner
Standards and Alignment
John Lopez, Managing Director
Instructional Materials and Educational Technology