Texas Curriculum

Reports

TEA, SBOE Begin Rulemaking on New Curriculum Legislation

The Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education are in the rulemaking process regarding HB 4294 and HB 2488.

HB 4294 authorizes the state textbook fund to be used to purchase technological equipment.

To read more on HB 4294: click here.

HB 2488 provides for the adoption of open-source textbooks.

To read more on HB 2488: click here.

Results of March 25 House Appropriations Committee Meeting

On March 25, the House Appropriations Committee put textbooks into the baseline education budget. The portion of Proclamation 2010 dealing with continuing contracts was fully funded at $347 million.

The part of Proclamation 2010 for new reading instructional materials was also put in the education budget, but the Appropriations Committee approved a 25 percent reduction from the amount requested by TEA - from $547 million down to $411 million
To read more, click here

Legislators, Education Advocates urge Texas Legislature to Fund Textbooks

Education advocacy groups joined a bi-partisan group of Texas Legislators to discuss concerns over state funding for textbooks at a press conference held on March 23, 2009.

Texas Curriculum released a statewide survey gauging voter support on a number of education issues at the press conference.

To read the press release, click here
To see the poll, click here
To read a summary of the poll, click here
To read what others are saying, click here

Internet Content vs. Publisher-Developed Instructional Materials
Publishers work closely with the state of Texas to develop curricula that address the full range of students in the state’s classrooms. Specific attention is given to the needs of English learners, special education students, students with learning difficulties, and advanced learners.

Funding Instructional Materials for Texas Schoolchildren: A Priority - Not an Option
The Problem - What is at Stake? - What can you do to help?

Innovations in Reading Instruction
Over the past three years, Texas educators and policy makers have worked with national experts and publishers to create Proclamation 2010, a long-awaited reading curriculum for Texas students. This curriculum – which is now awaiting final funding approval from the state legislature – will arrive in Texas public schools in the fall of 2010.

More than textbooks: An overview of Publisher-Developed Instructional Programs
These comprehensive learning systems are designed to enable classroom teachers to teach, assess, diagnose and prescribe solutions for all kinds of learners. Publishers invest significant resources to develop the systems so that they have the necessary instructional content, structure, scope, sequence and standards alignment. Key components of each system, which are available in print but also increasingly include online resources for student and teacher, are instructional materials for the student, teacher, productivity tools, professional development and assessment activities.

Latest News

"Open Source" Textbooks Are Reason for Grave Concern
Geraldine "Tincy" Miller, SBOE Dist. 12
Texas Insider
03/6/09

Bookless? State should act slowly in moving to computers only
Longview News-Journal
11/24/09

State Representative Chavez Questions Inclusion of Latinos in Texas Social Studies Curriculum
SBOE
11/18/09

San Antonio Express-News Op-Ed: Lawmakers should not gamble with education
San Antonio Express-News
03/6/09

House panels says Texas schools must embrace electronic textbooks
Dallas Morning News
03/5/09

A Fundamental Purchase Needed
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
02/17/09

Guest Columnist: Reading is backbone to furthering one's education
Beaumont Enterprise
01/02/09

Commentary: Howard: Print or electronic textbooks - why not both?
Austin American-Statesman
12/17/08

Plan to give 4 graduation credits for sports get mixed reaction
Austin American-Statesman
11/21/08

Evolution proponents descend on state education panel
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
11/21/08

State Board of Education votes to give elective credits for sports
Houston Chronicle
11/20/08

Scientists speak up for evolution
San Antonio Express-News
11/20/08

Hearing on state school science standards rich in rhetoric
Austin American-Statesman
11/20/08