Evaluation and Adoption Process
 
Overview
Below is an explanation of how the evaluation and adoption process comes about each year. The Texas Education Agency Website has a comprehensive document regarding this process here.
Want to know more about when adopted books will be in the classroom? Click here for an easy-to-read chart.

Step #1: Bids for new instructional materials from the publishing industry are solicited by means of a proclamation issued by the State Board of Education. The proclamation identifies subject areas scheduled for review in a given year and contains content requirements (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), maximum per-student costs to the state for adopted materials, an estimated number of units to be purchased during the first contract year for each of the subject areas and/or grade levels, and a detailed calendar of adoption procedures.

Step #2: Publishers who plan to offer instructional materials for adoption in the state provide finished-format review samples to the Texas Education Agency, each of the 20 regional education service centers, and members of the appropriate state textbook review panels appointed by the Commissioner of Education.

Step #3: Members of the state textbook review panels are charged with evaluating instructional materials to determine coverage of essential knowledge and skills and with identifying factual errors. At the close of the review period, panel members submit evaluations to the commissioner of education. Based on these evaluations, the commissioner prepares a preliminary report recommending that instructional materials be placed on the conforming list, be placed on the nonconforming list, or be rejected.

Step #4: Texas residents are allowed to file written comments regarding instructional materials submitted for adoption. In addition, a public hearing is held before the State Board of Education approximately two months before scheduled adoption.

Step #5: After consideration of evaluations submitted by state review panel members, information provided by publishers, and staff recommendations, the Commissioner of Education submits a final report to the State Board of Education recommending that instructional materials submitted be placed on the conforming list, placed on the nonconforming list, or rejected. A report detailing any factual errors to be corrected in instructional materials prior to delivery to school districts is also presented.

Source: Texas Education Agency