September 10, 2024 Committee of the Full Board Item 5

Discussion of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Certification Process: The Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials

September 10, 2024

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss the annual certification of provision of instructional materials process, commonly referred to as the annual Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) certification process, by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.1011 as amended by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.1011 as amended by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

TEC, §31.1011 requires school district and open-enrollment charter schools to annually certify to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the commissioner that for each subject in the required curriculum under TEC, §28.002, other than physical education, and each grade level, the district or school provides each student with instructional materials that cover all elements of the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education for that subject and grade level; and in the provision of instructional materials, protects students from obscene or harmful content as necessary for compliance with: the Children's Internet Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 106-554); TEC §28.0022; Section 43.22, Penal Code; and any other law or regulation that protects students from obscene or harmful content.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: In accordance with TEC, §31.1011 local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to certify annually to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the commissioner that students have access to instructional materials covering all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects, except physical education. 

Additionally, LEAs are required to certify that they protect against access to obscene or harmful content in compliance with the requirements for certification under the (i) the Children's Internet Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 106-554); (ii) TEC, §28.0022; (iii) Section 43.22, Penal Code; and (iv) any other law or regulation that protects students from obscene or harmful content. The TEKS Certification 2024–25 Survey includes a section for LEAs to certify they meet this requirement.

The Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials Process for 2024-25 was announced on February 29, 2024 in a To the Administrator Addressed correspondence.

Staff Member Responsible:
Colin Dempsey, Director, District Operations, Technology, and Sustainability Supports

Separate Exhibit:             
Background presentation on the Annual Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials
(to be provided at the September 2024 SBOE meeting)