February 2, 2007

The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor’s Office
P.O. Box 1248
Austin, Texas 78711

Dear Governor Perry,

The 80th Texas Legislature is scheduled to appropriate funds for elementary and secondary mathematics instructional materials. This is a vital appropriation. These much-needed new instructional materials, chosen by teachers and approved by the state, are due in classrooms in fall of 2007 and 2008. We appreciate that the appropriations bills, HB 1 and SB 1, have included funding for these new materials to replace current texts that are ten years old.

The enclosed briefing paper, Helping Children Learn, outlines the critical textbook issues facing the Legislature this session, and is intended as a resource for your office.

Texas Textbooks is an affiliate of the Association of American Publishers/School Division. A longtime education partner in Texas, the publishing industry for decades has been developing Texas-specific instructional content for Pre-K to 12th grade students and delivering that content through a variety of traditional and technological mediums.

As an industry, our expertise lies in developing quality content in accordance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. Because we recognize that technological advances in education are equally as important as having up-to-date, quality instructional materials that help teachers and students comply with Texas’ rigorous curriculum standards, publishers invest in educational technology to ensure that this Texas-aligned curriculum is offered in a variety of printed and electronic formats.

Along with funding current state adoptions, this Legislature will examine education reform issues including the role of technology in education. The publishing industry supports increasing the technology allotment funding in the Foundation School Program.

As you move forward on these issues, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, or if we can be of further assistance. We would be pleased to show you what we do.

Sincerely,

Nancy Siefken
Administrative Director

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