Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams addressed the State Board of Education (SBOE) during their September 9 meeting speaking on topics of interest including graduation rates, the most recent SAT & ACT data on Texas students, and the progress made in mathematics achievement.
After hearing comments from the Commissioner, the SBOE then took up their agenda which included, among other topics, an update on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Review and discussion on adoption and distribution of instructional materials.
During a discussion about the review and revision cycle for the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS), the planned timeline was identified. Important aspects of this include:
- Science and Social Studies will be the next two subject areas under review.
- The science review would begin in Spring 2016 with final action anticipated in January 2017.
- The social studies review would begin in Spring 2017.
- The revised science standards could be implemented for 2017-2018 school year and the revised social studies standards could be implemented for 2018-2019 school year.
- TEA staff indicated that no new materials would be developed as a result of the Science and Social Studies TEKS revisions.
- In response to a question about the feasibility of streamlining the process to conduct the science and social studies at the same time, TEA staff responded that this is possible, but cannot be determined until after variables such as the number of committees needed, funding, and related questions are answered.
- In response to SBOE member Tom Maynard’s inquiry about legislative intent of “streamline” and if this means merely reducing the amount of content, or streamlining while adding expectations, staff noted that there are no new expectations that will be added as a result of the revisions.
- As with prior review cycles, the timeline for the TEKS review and revision is not a formal SBOE rule, rather merely a tool to guide the SBOE as it moves forward.
The SBOE had a discussion item on Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials. The proposed language is first draft and could be set on the November SBOE agenda for the November meeting for first reading consideration. Formal public comment will occur after first reading. Chair Donna Bahorich indicated that she would like to see some informal discussion as a possibility prior to the official first reading and requested that TEA staff move to release the first draft as soon as possible to enable interested parties to comment informally.
The SBOE General Meeting will take place on Friday, September 11 starting at 9 a.m. and will be broadcast live.