Discussion of Instructional Materials Allotment Certification by Local Authorities of
TEKS Coverage in Instructional Materials
April 19, 2012
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the State Board of Education (SBOE) to discuss school districts and open-enrollment charter schools certification of TEKS coverage in instructional materials.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.004.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools will use the Educational Materials (EMAT) system to certify that the materials they provide to their students, cover all TEKS for the subject and grade level for which the materials are intended.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: At its January 2010 meeting, the SBOE approved for second reading and final adoption proposed changes to 19 TAC Chapter 66, which included language requiring each school district and open-enrollment charter school to submit to the SBOE and commissioner of education certification that for each subject in the foundation and enrichment curriculum and each grade level, the district or charter school provides each student with instructional materials that cover all elements of the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the SBOE. At its January 2012 meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 66. These proposed revisions include updates to the language regarding certification.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: None.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: House Bills (HB) 4294 and HB 2488, 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, initiated the requirement that districts and open-enrollment charter schools annually certify that the materials they adopt and provide to their students, cover all TEKS for that subject and grade level. Senate Bill (SB) 6, 82nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011, revised the requirement to exclude instructional materials for physical education and clarify which materials districts may consider in making this certification.
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools will make the certification on a form available through the Educational Materials (EMAT) system. The Instructional Materials Allotment and TEKS Certification form must be presented before the local board of trustees or governing body. The superintendent, local board president, and the board secretary are required to sign the form before it can be accepted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The certification form can be mailed or faxed to the Agency. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, districts or open-enrollment charter schools will be unable to submit any requisitions or disbursement requests until the certification has been signed and submitted to the Texas Education Agency.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The revision of this requirement will result in changes that align the instructional materials adoption and distribution process with recent statutory changes.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Appropriate changes necessary to update the Educational Materials and Textbooks (EMAT) online system, allowing districts to implement this policy, have already been made.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: The SBOE is scheduled to approve for second reading and final adoption proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials. The proposed revisions would implement changes to the instructional materials review and adoption process in response to Senate Bill (SB) 6, 82nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
John Lopez, Managing Director
Instructional Materials and Educational Technology
Attachments:
I. Instructional Materials Allotment and TEKS Certification, 2012-2013
II. Letter to the Administrator Addressed: Instructional Materials Allotment Certification and Access to EMAT