January 28, 2025 Committee of the Full Board Item 4
Discussion of Local Classroom Review Rubrics
January 28, 2025
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for staff to present the draft rubrics related to classroom reviews and for the board to offer feedback on these rubrics.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §26.0061, as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023 and §31.0252, as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
TEC, §26.0061, as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, requires the board of trustees of each school district shall establish a process by which a parent may request an instructional material review under Section 31.0252 for a subject area in the grade level in which the student is enrolled and allows the SBOE to adopt rules to implement this section.
TEC, §31.0252, as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop a rubric, approved by the SBOE, to determine if reviewed instructional material complies with the rigor requirements described by TEC, §31.0252(a)(2).
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: A discussion item regarding §67.69 was presented to the Committee of the Full Board at the November 2024 SBOE meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, significantly revised TEC, Chapter 31, including adding a provision for local classroom reviews of instructional materials.
Section 24 of the bill established new TEC, §31.0252. Local Review of Classroom Instructional Materials. This section requires that the agency develop standards in consultation with stakeholders, including educators, by which a school district is authorized to conduct a review of instructional materials used by a classroom teacher in a foundation curriculum course under Section 28.002(a)(1) to determine the degree to which the material (1) corresponds with the instructional materials adopted by the school district or campus; and (2) meets the level of rigor of the knowledge and skills adopted under Section 28.002 for the grade level in which it is being used.
This section also requires the agency to develop a rubric, approved by SBOE, to determine if reviewed instructional material complies with the rigor requirements.
At the June 2023 SBOE meeting, the Committee of the Full Board held a work session to receive an overview presentation on HB 1605 from the commissioner of education and begin discussing preliminary decisions and next steps. The June 2023 SBOE HB 1605 Work Session Presentation shared during the work session is available on the TEA website at June 2023 SBOE HB 1605 Work Session Slides.
At the November 2024 SBOE meeting staff presented the local classroom review rubrics and considerations for proposed rule as a discussion item for the board.
The proposed rubrics will be used to conduct local classroom reviews and must be approved by the SBOE per TEC, §31.0252.
Staff Members Responsible:
Colin Dempsey, Director, District Operations, Technology, and Sustainability Supports
Shay Wise-Garland, Director, District Leadership Supports
Separate Exhibit:
Proposed Local Classroom Review Rubrics
(to be provided in advance of the January 2025 SBOE meeting)