The Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process is underway, with submissions due in March for K-5 English and Spanish language arts, K-12 mathematics, and K-3 phonics. Office hours are being held to address inquiries. Rubrics have been approved for evaluating materials, and applications are open for reviewers with relevant expertise. Additionally, the State Board of Education has adopted new materials for various subjects, including science and technology, with detailed information available on the Proclamation 2024 List. This marks a significant step in ensuring quality educational resources for students across Texas, with transparent evaluation criteria and opportunities for involvement in the review process. Following the review, SBOE will vote in November 2024 to approve materials, granting them access to new funding opportunities outlined in HB 1605. This change underscores a commitment to enhancing educational quality and accessibility statewide. See the timeline which aims for approved materials to be ready for classroom use by the 2025–26 school year, with specific milestones to be met by November 2024, subject to potential adjustments. Office hours and resources are available to support the application and review process, emphasizing the importance of community participation in this significant educational initiative. 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) offers districts and educators in Texas optional high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) tailored for the state's curriculum standards (TEKS). These materials come in two types of licenses: full-subject materials covering 100% of TEKS and supplemental materials enriching specific subjects or grades. TEA provides two types of licenses: Texas Open Education Resources (OER) with state-owned or freely usable intellectual property, and Temporary State-Licensed Resources. Before publication, materials undergo rigorous third-party reviews and feedback from Texas educators to ensure quality and alignment with TEKS. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, TEA expedited the acquisition of instructional resources to support remote, in-person, and hybrid learning, aiming to mitigate learning loss and aid in recovery efforts. All OER content is freely accessible online, promoting transparency and encouraging feedback from parents and stakeholders. 

The process for ordering state-adopted instructional materials in Texas involves utilizing the EMAT system, funded by the district’s Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment. . District staff must undergo EMAT training to access the system, which closes for updates annually in April and reopens in May for orders for the upcoming school year. Prerequisites for ordering include completing TEKS certification and selecting shipping dates. Accessible materials for eligible students can also be ordered through EMAT. Quality reviews are available through the Texas Resource Review. Additionally, there's a certification process to ensure accessible instructional materials and protection against harmful content, with completion required by May 1st to regain access to EMAT funds. The process involves completing a form, obtaining board ratification, and submitting a survey. TEA provides support through office hours and assistance for districts affected by natural disasters. 

The review and adoption process for instructional materials in Texas is a comprehensive system overseen by the State Board of Education (SBOE). It begins with the revision or adoption of new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and culminates in the selection and implementation of materials by school districts. The process involves multiple steps, including the issuance of  proclamations specifying subject areas for review, development and submission of materials by publishers, state review panels evaluating materials for TEKS coverage and factual accuracy, public comment periods, and a final determination by the SBOE on whether to adopt materials.  

Texas residents may also report alleged factual errors in adopted instructional materials via the Public-Reported Factual Errors Submission Form. (NOTE: If you experience difficulties downloading these forms, please check that Adobe is selected as your default PDF program. 

Publishers must ensure their materials meet specific criteria, including coverage of at least 50% of the TEKS, absence of factual errors, suitability for intended grade levels, and compliance with accessibility standards. The process also includes provisions for  instructional materials allotment, addressing errors, contracting for accessible materials, and quality review. Ultimately, local authorities select materials for their districts, with oversight from the TEA. The process ensures that instructional materials meet educational standards and are accessible to all students in Texas.