Recommendations Regarding Readoption of Instructional Materials
January 23, 2009
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item recommends readoption of instructional materials with contracts that expire on August 31, 2009. This action is recommended to ensure that these materials remain available for distribution to school districts until new replacements become available.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.003.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: In November 1999 and November 2002, the State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted instructional materials included in Proclamations 1996 and 2000.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials, Subchapter B, State Adoption of Instructional Materials, Rule §66.24(c), Review and Renewal of Contracts, states that, "Publishers awarded new contracts shall be prepared to make the adopted instructional materials available for at least one extended contract period of not more than four years at prices the commissioner of education approves. The SBOE may consider refusing to award future contracts to a publisher who, after receiving written notice to do so, refuses to rebid instructional materials at least one time. Failure of a publisher to negotiate an acceptable price for an extended contract shall not be considered failure to rebid instructional materials."
A list of the subjects areas with textbooks that are recommended for Readoption in 2009 is shown on Attachment II. The year that instructional materials in a subject were initially distributed to districts is indicated in parentheses. Current contracts for instructional materials in the subject areas listed will expire on August 31, 2009, and new instructional materials in these subject areas will not be adopted by that date. Readoption contracts are recommended in order to ensure that currently adopted materials in these subject areas remain available for distribution until new instructional materials are adopted.
At the time this item was prepared, staff was coordinating with publishers concerning their willingness to make the currently adopted instructional materials available for an extended contract period at acceptable prices. A detailed list of textbook titles that are recommended for readoption along with their prices will be provided prior to the January 2009 board meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT: There will be expenditures for the annual purchase for replacement of worn-out textbooks and purchase of additional textbooks for increased student enrollment in school year 2009-2010. Estimates of those expenditures will be provided prior to the January meeting.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The recommended readoptions would ensure that school districts retain the ability to obtain instructional materials needed because of increased enrollments or to replace those that are worn-out.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the State Board of Education:
Readopt instructional materials currently under contract in the subject areas and for the periods indicated in the separate exhibit.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Acting Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
John Lopez, Managing Director
Instructional Materials and Educational Technology
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citation
II. Subject Areas with Instructional Materials Recommended for 2009 Readoption
Separate Exhibit:
Instructional Materials Recommended for 2009 Readoption
(to be provided prior to the January SBOE meeting)