The State Board of Education (SBOE) will meet next week in Austin for a four-day agenda covering instructional materials, required reading lists, social studies standards, civics education, and other topics.
The Tuesday, Jan. 27 meeting will begin with a series of items to implement the new personal financial literacy (PFL) graduation requirement. The board will also take action on multiple instructional materials items, including an after-action review of the Instructional Materials Review Approval (IMRA) process for IMRA Cycle 2025, requirements for suitability reviewers and the process for their appointment, the proposed rejected list from IMRA 2025, and an update on the current cycle.
Wednesday’s agenda is likely to be the longest day. Commissioner Mike Morath will begin with his standing address to the SBOE. The board will then hear discussion items on the new required civics training and the commissioner’s recommendations for vocabulary lists to be taught in each grade level as required by House Bill (HB) 1605. Also a requirement of HB 1605 is the inclusion of a list of literary works in the English language arts and reading standards. These lists are substantial and sure to draw out many opinions in the boardroom. Members will also have the opportunity to consider recommendations from Content Advisors on key topics and subtopics for the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Thursday’s committee work will involve adaptions for special populations and innovative courses in the Committee on Instruction. The Committee on School Finance has a relatively light agenda related to some requirements of HB 2, and the Committee on School Initiatives will hear standing items related to the open-enrollment charter school application process, ongoing State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) activities, SBEC rule ratifications, and board nominations for special purpose districts. This committee will also discuss the ongoing work of the parental rights working group.
Friday’s meeting of the full board will include resolutions for honoring the 2025 Lonestar Ribbon Schools, regarding Career and Technical Education Month (Feb. 1-28), and honoring the Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic & Academic Development (RGV LEAD).