Public Hearing Regarding Instructional Materials Submitted for Adoption
by the State Board of Education Under The Request for Supplemental Science Materials
July 21, 2011
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: A public hearing before the State Board of Education (SBOE) is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, 2011, in the William B. Travis Building, Room 1-104. Testimony will be presented regarding instructional materials submitted for adoption under the Request for Supplemental Science Materials. Texas residents who have registered to speak on this agenda item will be given priority over non-Texas residents. Oral testimony will be limited to two minutes and speakers are asked to provide 35 copies of their testimony for distribution. Representatives of publishing companies will be allowed to provide oral responses to testimony at the hearing. Publishers will also have the opportunity to file written responses following the hearing. These instructional materials were reviewed by the state review panels in June of 2011.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §66.60(b) and Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.002.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The Request for Supplemental Science Materials was issued by the SBOE in May 2010. The SBOE approved the Question and Answer document in July 2010. In September 2010, the board adopted a new timeline for the submission, review, and adoption of instructional materials. The Question and Answer document was also amended to reflect the new timeline changes.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: Adoption of supplemental science instructional materials is provided as a separate item in this agenda.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: 19 TAC Chapter 66 allows both Texas and non-Texas residents to register and testify at public hearings on textbooks. However, the rule gives priority to Texas residents. Oral responses to testimony at hearings before the SBOE are allowed from representatives of publishing companies.
In addition, publishers and others interested in responding will have an opportunity to provide formal responses to the oral testimony and written comments.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
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