AUSTIN, TX – May 29, 2024 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the availability of the Texas Open Education Resources (OER) textbooks today, initiating a public feedback process. House Bill (HB) 1605 (88th Regular Session) directed the TEA to develop state-owned instructional materials, known as Texas OER textbooks, to support teachers and improve student academic outcomes. These optional textbooks aim to enhance student learning, close achievement gaps, and better support Texas teachers in mathematics and elementary literacy.
Texas OER textbooks are specifically designed for Texas schools and align with state standards—the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Developed using evidence from cognitive science, these resources provide quality, on-grade-level materials that enable teachers to focus on delivering high-quality instruction and offering differentiated supports to students. The "open" nature of these textbooks means they are state-owned, freely available to anyone, and can be modified over time for continuous improvement.
“These new Texas OER textbooks represent a significant step forward in our state’s commitment to providing exceptional instructional materials for Texas students and teachers,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “Now with the SBOE and public review process beginning, we can use additional feedback to make the materials even better this year.”
In addition to directing TEA to develop state-owned instructional materials, HB 1605 established the new Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process. This process charges the State Board of Education (SBOE) with reviewing and approving high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). TEA is submitting these Texas OER textbooks for review under IMRA 2024. The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on these materials by visiting the SBOE’s IMRA webpage.
Texas OER textbooks serve as useful tools for teachers seeking rigorous and relevant instructional materials where students see their experiences represented in the curriculum. These adaptable resources allow teachers to customize their instruction according to their students' unique needs. By ensuring access to grade-level content for all students, OER materials promote academic success across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Recognizing parents' vital role in education, Texas OER textbooks are accessible online so parents can stay informed about lesson plans and what their children are studying. Each unit taught from these textbooks includes a family letter that outlines what students will learn.
The development of Texas OER involved extensive collaboration with teachers and parents to ensure content relevance, engagement, and effectiveness. These meticulously developed materials adhere to SBOE standards as part of its Instructional Materials Review and Adoption process through IMRA.
If approved as High-Quality Instructional Materials by SBOE, Texas OER will be an optional resource for school systems in Texas. Local control over which instructional materials are used remains unchanged by HB 1605.
For more information or access to review the Texas OER textbooks and instructional materials visit [website]. To learn more about HB 1605 or the IMRA process visit TEA’s [website].
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