Discussion of Proposed Cycle for the Adoption of Instructional Materials
September 15, 2011
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: The Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 31, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt a review and adoption cycle for textbooks for elementary grade levels, including prekindergarten, and secondary grade levels for each subject in the required curriculum. This item will provide the board an opportunity to discuss the review and adoption cycle.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: TEC, §31.022.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for SBOE discussion and recommendation for future action regarding options for the review and adoption cycle and the development of new proclamations.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: In May 2008, the SBOE removed English for Speakers of Other Languages I and II from Proclamation 2011 and added it to Proclamation 2010 and removed English as a Second Language, grades K-8, from Proclamation 2010 and added it to Proclamation 2011. In May 2010, the board postponed indefinitely Proclamation 2012, which was scheduled to call for materials in Science and Engineering. In its place, the board issued a Request for Supplemental Science Materials for science, grades 5-8; Biology; Chemistry; Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); and Physics. In September 2010, the board discussed several different options for revising the adoption cycle and requested that staff survey school districts and publishers for additional information and bring the item back for discussion in November. In November 2010, the board decided to postpone further discussion of a new adoption cycle due to the lack of new data available regarding options for the adoption cycle.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: Approval of a new cycle for the adoption of instructional materials and resumption of issuance of proclamations for instructional materials.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In 2011, the 82nd Texas Legislature made significant changes to Chapter 31 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) that affect the review, adoption, acquisition, and distribution of instructional materials. The TEC, §31.022(e), passed by the 80th Texas Legislature, requires that proclamations be named by the school year in which the materials are intended to be made available in the classrooms. As a result, Proclamations 2007 and 2008 were renamed and are now known as Proclamations 2010 and 2011, respectively. The SBOE adopted instructional materials under Proclamation 2010 in November 2009 and adopted instructional materials under Proclamation 2011 in November 2010.
A draft of Proclamation 2012 was presented to the SBOE for discussion in March 2009. Subjects and grade levels proposed for Proclamation 2012 included science, grades K-12; Spanish science, grades K-6; and Engineering. The board postponed action on Proclamation 2012 until May 2010. In May 2010, the board voted to postpone action on Proclamation 2012 indefinitely. Also in May 2010, the board issued a Request for Supplemental Science Materials for science, grades 5-8; Biology; Chemistry; Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); and Physics. In July 2011, the SBOE adopted instructional materials under the Request for Supplemental Science Materials.
FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated cost to the state for new instructional materials in each subject is based on subjects included in the proclamation and the estimated number of units that will be purchased. The 2011 legislature created an Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) for the purchase of instructional materials, technological equipment and technology-related services. The IMA calculations will be reduced by the value of the requested materials by districts in the Educational Materials (EMAT) system. The allotment calculations for each district are provided over a two-year period for school years 2011-2013.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: An established cycle for adoption and distribution of instructional materials will provide school districts with up-to-date instructional materials. It will also allow the publishing industry sufficient time to plan for upcoming adoptions, and new instructional materials will be based on the refined and aligned Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
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, Director of State Professional Development
John Lopez, Managing Director, Instructional Materials and
Educational Technology
Attachment:
Current Adoption Cycle for Foundation and Enrichment Subjects, Revised May 2008