Texas 2025 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB451 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 03/28/2025

                    BILL ANALYSIS        Senate Research Center   S.B. 451     89R1523 TSS-D   By: Middleton         Education K-16         3/28/2025         As Filed          AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT   Last session under H.B. 1605 the legislature directed the State Board of Education (SBOE) to perform an instructional material review and approval (IMRA). Under the IMRA, SBOE will verify that the instructional materials satisfy both the requirements in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and applicable English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). The materials reviewed are then added to one of two lists maintained by SBOE the "approved" list and the "rejected" list. Currently, there is no provision prohibiting the adoption or use of materials in public schools which were placed on the rejected list.   Allowing SBOE to ensure that materials used by districts comply with the TEKS and ELPS will ensures that the instructional materials used in Texas public schools have the rigor to teach students effectively.   As proposed, S.B. 451 amends current law relating to the purchase, adoption, and use of instructional materials by public schools.   RULEMAKING AUTHORITY   This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.   SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS   SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.0211(f), Education Code, to prohibit funds allotted under Section 31.0211 (Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment) from being used to purchase certain instructional materials, including material that is on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under Section 31.022(a) (relating to requiring SBOE to review certain instructional materials).   SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code, by adding Section 31.024, as follows:   Sec. 31.024. LIMITATION ON THE ADOPTION AND USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL. Prohibits a school district from adopting or otherwise using instructional material included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).   SECTION 3. Amends Section 31.073, Education Code, by adding Subsection (b) and amending Subsection (c), as follows:   (b) Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school to only adopt or otherwise use an open education resource instructional material that is not included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).   (c) Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school to adopt open education resource instructional material that complies with Subsection (b) at any time.   SECTION 4. Amends Section 31.106, Education Code, as follows:   Sec. 31.106. USE OF LOCAL FUNDS. Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school, in addition to any instructional material selected under Chapter 31 (Instructional Materials and Technology), to use local funds to purchase any instructional materials not included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).   SECTION 5. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year.   SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025. 

BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center S.B. 451
89R1523 TSS-D By: Middleton
 Education K-16
 3/28/2025
 As Filed

Senate Research Center

S.B. 451

89R1523 TSS-D

By: Middleton

 

Education K-16

 

3/28/2025

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Last session under H.B. 1605 the legislature directed the State Board of Education (SBOE) to perform an instructional material review and approval (IMRA). Under the IMRA, SBOE will verify that the instructional materials satisfy both the requirements in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and applicable English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). The materials reviewed are then added to one of two lists maintained by SBOE the "approved" list and the "rejected" list. Currently, there is no provision prohibiting the adoption or use of materials in public schools which were placed on the rejected list.

 

Allowing SBOE to ensure that materials used by districts comply with the TEKS and ELPS will ensures that the instructional materials used in Texas public schools have the rigor to teach students effectively.

 

As proposed, S.B. 451 amends current law relating to the purchase, adoption, and use of instructional materials by public schools.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.0211(f), Education Code, to prohibit funds allotted under Section 31.0211 (Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment) from being used to purchase certain instructional materials, including material that is on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under Section 31.022(a) (relating to requiring SBOE to review certain instructional materials).

 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code, by adding Section 31.024, as follows:

 

Sec. 31.024. LIMITATION ON THE ADOPTION AND USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL. Prohibits a school district from adopting or otherwise using instructional material included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 31.073, Education Code, by adding Subsection (b) and amending Subsection (c), as follows:

 

(b) Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school to only adopt or otherwise use an open education resource instructional material that is not included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).

 

(c) Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school to adopt open education resource instructional material that complies with Subsection (b) at any time.

 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 31.106, Education Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 31.106. USE OF LOCAL FUNDS. Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school, in addition to any instructional material selected under Chapter 31 (Instructional Materials and Technology), to use local funds to purchase any instructional materials not included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by SBOE under Section 31.022(a).

 

SECTION 5. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year.

 

SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.