April 8, 2025 Committee of the Full Board Item 7
Discussion of Proposed Changes to the Instructional Materials Review and Approval Process
April 8, 2025
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 proposed changes to the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.003(a) and §31.023 as amended by House Bill (HB) 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
TEC, §31.003(a), as amended by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, permits the SBOE to adopt rules for the adoption, requisition, distribution, care, use, and disposal of instructional materials.
TEC, §31.023, as amended by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, requires the commissioner of education to establish, in consultation with and with the approval of the SBOE, a process for the annual review of instructional materials by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). In conducting a review under this section, TEA must use a rubric that it developed in consultation with and approved by the SBOE.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: At its January 2025 meeting, the board adopted 19 TAC Chapter 67, State Review and Approval of Instructional Materials, Subchapter B, State Review and Approval, §67.27, IMRA Reviewers: Eligibility and Appointment; §67.29, IMRA Reviewers: Training, Duties, and Conduct.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: TEC, Chapter 31, addresses instructional materials in public education and permits the SBOE to adopt rules for the adoption, requisition, distribution, care, use, and disposal of instructional materials. HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, significantly revised TEC, Chapter 31, including several provisions under SBOE authority. These revisions required the commissioner of education to establish, in consultation with and with the approval of the SBOE, a process for the annual review of instructional materials.
At its January-February 2024 meeting, the board adopted the IMRA Process and procedures, as amended.
At its September 2024 meeting staff presented part one of an after-action report which summarized the IMRA process to date, described observations of the process, and outlined recommendations for improvements to the process.
At its January 2025 meeting staff presented part two of an after-action report which summarized the IMRA process for Cycle 2024 in its entirety and outlined recommendations for improvements to the process. The board also adopted new rules related to IMRA reviewer eligibility and appointment; training; duties; and conduct.
Staff Member Responsible:
Colin Dempsey, Director, District Operations, Technology, and Sustainability Supports
Separate Exhibit:
IMRA Process Changes for Discussion
(to be provided at the April 2025 SBOE meeting)