June 22, 2026 Committee of the Full Board Item 1
Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, §110.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §110.30, Literary Works Lists, Grades 6-8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §110.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026; and Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter A, Elementary, §128.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §128.30, Literary Works Lists, Grade 6 and English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §128.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026
(Second Reading and Final Adoption)
June 26, 2026
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item presents for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, §110.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §110.30, Literary Works Lists, Grades 6-8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §110.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026; and proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter A, Elementary, §128.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §128.30, Literary Works Lists, Grade 6 and English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §128.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026. The proposed new sections would add lists of literary works to be taught in each grade level as required by House Bill (HB) 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.002(c-4), as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
TEC, §28.002(c-4), as added by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE), in adopting essential knowledge and skills for English language arts under TEC, §28.002(a)(1)(A), to specify a list of required vocabulary and at least one literary work to be taught in each grade level.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the link above.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the proposed new sections is 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. Under TEC, §7.102(f), the SBOE must approve the rule action at second reading and final adoption by a vote of two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. The earlier effective date will allow school districts to obtain required literary works and begin preparing to implement the new requirements.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all subjects effective September 1, 1998. The English language arts and reading TEKS were amended effective September 4, 2008. The Spanish language arts and reading TEKS were amended effective November 26, 2008. The TEKS for high school English elective courses were amended effective August 23, 2010. The English and Spanish language arts and reading TEKS for Kindergarten-Grade 8 were amended effective September 25, 2017, and the English language arts and reading and English as a second language TEKS for high school were amended effective November 12, 2017. The Kindergarten-Grade 12 TEKS for English and Spanish language arts and reading were again amended effective August 1, 2019, to make technical adjustments to the standards. An item on proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 was presented to the Committee of the Full Board at the January 2026 SBOE meeting. At that time, the board postponed action on first reading and filing authorization until the April 2026 meeting. At the April 2026 meeting, the SBOE approved proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 for first reading and filing authorization.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, passed HB 1605 relating to instructional material and technology. HB 1605 added TEC, §28.002(c-4), which requires the SBOE, in adopting essential knowledge and skills for English language arts, to specify a list of required vocabulary and at least one literary work to be taught in each grade level. A discussion item at the November 2025 meeting provided an opportunity for the Committee of the Full Board to discuss recommendations from the commissioner of education for literary works to be taught in each grade level as required by HB 1605. At the January 2026 meeting, the SBOE postponed first reading and filing authorization of proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 until the April 2026 meeting. The SBOE approved proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 for first reading and filing authorization at the April 2026 meeting.
The proposed new sections would adopt literary works lists required to be taught in English and Spanish language arts and reading in Kindergarten-Grade 12. The attachments to this item reflect the text of proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 for consideration by the SBOE for second reading and final adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has determined that for the first five years the proposal is in effect (2026-2030), there are no additional costs to state government. There will be fiscal implications for school districts and charter schools to implement the proposed literary works lists, which would include the purchase of the literary works and may also include the need for professional development and revisions to district-developed curriculum and scope and sequence documents. Since instructional material purchases and curriculum and instruction decisions are made at the local district level, it is difficult to estimate the fiscal impact on any given district.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would create new regulations by adding lists of required literary works to the TEKS for reading language arts.
The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would ensure that all students in the state of Texas have the opportunity to read the same literary works. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would have no data or reporting impact.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Following the April 2026 SBOE meeting, notice of proposed new 19 TAC §§110.10, 110.30, 110.70, 128.10, 128.30, and 128.70 was filed with the Texas Register, initiating the public comment period. The public comment period on the proposal began May 15, 2026, and ended at 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2026. No comments had been received at the time this item was prepared. A summary of public comments received will be provided to the SBOE prior to and during the June 2026 meeting. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in June 2026 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, §110.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §110.30, Literary Works Lists, Grades 6-8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §110.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026; and proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter A, Elementary, §128.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §128.30, Literary Works Lists, Grade 6 and English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §128.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026; and
Make an affirmative finding that immediate adoption of proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, §110.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §110.30, Literary Works Lists, Grades 6-8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §110.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026; and proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter A, Elementary, §128.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026; Subchapter B, Middle School, §128.30, Literary Works Lists, Grade 6 and English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8, Adopted 2026; and Subchapter C, High School, §128.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026, is necessary and shall have an effective date of 20 days after filing with the Texas Register. (Per TEC, §7.102(f), a vote of two-thirds of the members of the board is necessary for an earlier effective date.)
Staff Member Responsible:
Shannon Trejo, Deputy Commissioner, School Programs
Attachment I:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, §110.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026
Attachment II:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter B, Middle School, §110.30, Literary Works Lists, Grades 6-8, Adopted 2026
Attachment III:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter C, High School, §110.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026
Attachment IV:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter A, Elementary, §128.10, Literary Works Lists, Kindergarten-Grade 5, Adopted 2026
Attachment V:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter B, Middle School, §128.30, Literary Works Lists, Grade 6 and English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8, Adopted 2026
Attachment VI:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language, Subchapter C, High School, §128.70, Literary Works Lists, High School, Adopted 2026