Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement in support of the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) new open education resource (OER) instructional materials unveiled this morning.
"Last year, the Texas Legislature passed and I signed a law that directed the Texas Education Agency to purchase and develop instructional materials that will bring students back to the basics of education and provide the necessary fundamentals in math, reading, science, and other core subjects. The materials will also allow our students to better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution. I thank the TEA for their work to ensure our students receive a robust educational foundation to succeed so that we can build a brighter Texas for generations to come,” Abbott stated.
These instructional materials will undergo the same review process at the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) as all other instructional materials. Starting next year, school districts will receive additional state funding if they choose to buy SBOE-approved materials. If OER is approved by SBOE and districts opt to use these materials, additional funding will be available to defray printing costs. The OER will be accessible online for free, allowing parents and families access to quality educational resources aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Governor Abbott signed House Bill 1605 into law last year. This bill mandates TEA to provide OER for core subjects in key grades, including reading and math from Pre-K to 8th grade. The law also requires TEA to appoint an advisory board ensuring that these materials are of high quality and compliant with suitability requirements.