Texas House Bill HB3836

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the selection of instructional materials by a school district or open-enrollment charter school.

Impact

By amending Section 31.101(b) of the Education Code, the bill enhances the role of open education resources within the instructional material selection process. This could lead to a broader adoption of free and openly licensed educational materials in Texas classrooms. The intent behind such legislation is to not only alleviate financial burdens on school districts but also to enhance the quality of teaching by providing diverse and scalable resources that can be adapted to local needs.

Summary

House Bill 3836 aims to modify the process by which school districts and open-enrollment charter schools select instructional materials. The bill proposes that these educational institutions are mandated to consider open education resource materials when making their selections. This reflects a growing trend towards integrating more accessible and often less expensive educational materials into the educational system, promoting equity and relevance in educational content across Texas schools.

Sentiment

Discussions around HB 3836 suggest a generally positive sentiment among proponents who view the bill as a progressive step towards modernizing educational resources. Advocates argue that incorporating open educational resources can significantly boost educational outcomes by making rich content more accessible to all students. However, there may also be concerns from traditionalists about the potential dilution of established educational materials and practices.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around how 'instructional materials' are defined and the possible implications for existing contracts with textbook publishers. Skeptics may fear that mandating the consideration of open educational resources could disrupt existing partnerships and thereby impact the financial stability of traditional educational material suppliers. Moreover, the successful implementation of this legislation relies on adequate support and training for educators to effectively utilize these open resources.