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SBOE Informal Public Comment Process

It is the objective of the State Board of Education (SBOE) to periodically and informally post draft policy language, research proposals and/or other information to collect public comments on matters not subject to statutory or regulatory posting guidelines. 

  • All requests for Informal Public Comment will be posted to the SBOE website on this page.
  • Each request for Informal Public Comment will be posted for a minimum of 7 days and will include a start date and an end date of the comment period.
  • The Informal Public Comment period may vary in length of time and format based on the subject matter for which the board seeks feedback from the public.
  • Details of the request for Informal Public Comment period, including the subject matter and instructions to submit public feedback will be made available on the SBOE website on this page.

Recommended Literary Works List

Background Information: 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 SBOE meeting provided an opportunity for the Committee of the Full Board to discuss recommendations from the Texas Education Agency for literary works to be taught in each grade level as required by HB 1605.

Summary: During the January 2026 SBOE meeting the Texas Education Agency (TEA) presented lists of recommended literary works to be taught in each grade level as required by HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023. The Committee of the Full Board approved a motion to postpone consideration of the agency’s list of recommended literary works to the next meeting and the SBOE approved the item to be postponed to the April 2026 meeting. The SBOE received a letter on January 21, 2026 from House Committee on Public Education Chairman Brad Buckley (House District 54) and author of HB 1605. The SBOE is seeking Informal Public Comment on two literary works lists prior to the board’s consideration of the statutory requirement at the April 2026 meeting. 

  1. TEA’s recommended list of literary works; and
  2. SBOE Member Will Hickman’s recommended list of literary works. 

Informal Public Comment is being accepted on the English language arts and reading in Kindergarten-Grade 12.

Informal Public Comment Period begins: Friday, March 6, 2026
Informal Public Comment Period closes: Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT

Submit Informal Public Comment for Literary Works

Please email SBOEsupport@sboe.texas.gov if you have any questions regarding the SBOE Informal Public Comment process or require assistance. 

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