Full-subject high-quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) are educational resources designed to enhance student learning and support educators in delivering effective instruction. Characterized by:

Coverage of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): HQIM ensures that they cover the full scope of the TEKS, which are the state standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in various subject areas.

Alignment with Evidence-Based Best Practices: HQIM are aligned with research-based instructional strategies in subjects such as Reading and Language Arts (RLA), mathematics, science, and social studies. This alignment ensures that the materials incorporate proven methods and approaches for effective teaching and learning.

Support for All Learners: HQIM are designed to cater to the needs of diverse student populations, including those with disabilities, English Learners, and students identified as gifted and talented. These materials should offer accommodations and resources that help all students access and engage with the content.

Embedded and Aligned Assessments: HQIM includes assessments that are not only aligned with the TEKS but also integrated into the instructional materials. This enables teachers to monitor students' progress regularly and adjust their teaching accordingly.

Implementation Support for Teachers: HQIM provides resources and guidance to support teachers in effectively implementing the materials in their classrooms. This support can include professional development, lesson plans, and instructional strategies.

Teacher and Student-Facing Lesson Materials: HQIM includes materials that are accessible to both teachers and students. This can include textbooks, workbooks, digital resources, and other materials that facilitate effective teaching and learning.

High-Quality Instructional Materials improves student outcomes and enhances the quality of education by:

Access to Grade-Appropriate Assignments: HQIM ensures that students are exposed to content that is suitable for their grade level, promoting a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Strong Instruction: These materials often incorporate best practices in teaching, making it easier for educators to provide high-quality instruction to their students.

Deep Engagement: HQIM can engage students more deeply in their learning, as they are designed to be engaging and relevant to the curriculum.

Teachers with High Expectations: When teachers have access to well-structured materials, it can boost their confidence in delivering rigorous instruction, which, in turn, can lead to higher expectations for student achievement.

The state supports High-Quality Instructional Materials to provide educators with the tools and resources, they need to effectively teach the curriculum and ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed.

Instructional Materials Selection in Texas: Under Texas state law, school systems have the flexibility to choose instructional materials as long as they align with the State Board of Education (SBOE)-adopted (cycle) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and adhere to certain provisions in the Texas Education Code. TEA also provides optional instructional programs and materials. Follow Proclamation 2022 for more details 

Open Education Resources (OER): TEA has been procuring OER materials since 2009, ensuring that Texas standards-aligned textbooks were available for teachers to use freely in digital or printed form. Follow OER aka TEA Available Materials (TAM) for more details 

Content Review and Modification: TEA established a review process for the OER materials to ensure alignment with TEKS and appropriateness for Texas classrooms. Third-party reviews were conducted, and immediate edits were made for the 2020-21 school year. Additional edits were made based on feedback from piloting districts. Follow Texas Resource Review for more details 

Data Collection and Privacy: TEA emphasized its commitment to data security and privacy. Digital components of OER products are only accessible to teachers, and no student-level data is captured. All digital learning products used in schools must comply with federal and state student privacy laws. 

Transparency and Feedback: TEA encouraged transparency and feedback from educators, parents, caregivers, and organizations in the ongoing improvement of OER materials. Current versions of materials are accessible online, and TEA is dedicated to making edits in response to feedback.  Access the online feedback survey so your voice can be heard. 

Overall, TEA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic focused on ensuring that instructional materials were aligned with state standards, flexible for various modes of instruction, and continuously improved based on feedback. Data privacy and security were also prioritized in the use of digital materials. Send questions directly to the OER team  

OER Assessments Are Now Available in the Test Delivery System (TDS)

The Test Delivery System (TDS) is the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) platform for conducting online assessments, including the STAAR tests. 

K-5 Math COVID Emergency Release Edition V2 2022-23: referred to as "Eureka Math TEKS Edition." The TEA's OER team launched K-5 Math assessments in TDS in August 2022.

K-5 RLA Literacy Program Assessments: Assessments for the K-5 Reading and Language Arts (RLA) Literacy Program will be gradually released in TDS throughout the 2022-23 school year.

Benefits of Digitally Administering Eureka Math TEKS Assessments: Digitally administering these assessments offers several advantages, including convenience for teachers and students, practice for students and alignment with the STAAR platform.

Paper vs. Digital Assessment Comparison: There are key differences between paper and digital versions of the assessments. Some items are only available in print for lower grades, while others have transitioned to various digital formats for computer grading. Multi-part items are categorized according to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

Digitization Process: The process of digitizing these assessments involves creating content that aligns with TEKS and the curriculum taught in the classroom. A vendor is responsible for converting paper assessment items into a digital format for the TDS platform. TEA's OER content leads and assessment team review and provide feedback for revisions. Pilot assessments are conducted with students to gather feedback and make continuous improvements to the assessment items.

OER Assessments in AVA 

DMAC

In Eduphoria merely create a new assessment, and choose to copy an assessment to view the Open Education Resource.

High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Implementation Support

Customized Professional Learning (virtually or in-person) on state-adopted implementation protocols providing a systematic approach to instructional planning, delivery, evaluation, and reflection.   Or instructional coaches and leaders on conducting observation and feedback cycles using HQIM-specific observation tools, as well as learning for administrators on ensuring district- and campus-level systems support implementation, leading change management, and monitoring implementation progress.

High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Technical Assistance

A thought partner for educators to master these job-embedded supports, the HQIM implementation protocols that provide a systematic approach to instructional planning, delivery, evaluation, and reflection supporting any HQIM or open education resources (OER) in any subject to ensure all students have access to high-quality and rigorous grade-level content.

23/24 LL&A Professional Learning

State Resources

HQIM Open Educational Resources

Susan Brown

936.435.8350

smbrown@esc6.net