The Texas Education Agency (TEA) launched the Texas Open Education Resources (OER) textbooks, or educational materials, upon the directions of House Bill 1605 in the 88th Regular Session to develop state-owned instructional materials. The introduction of these textbooks is aimed at fueling a public feedback process on more than 140 textbooks submitted for approval until August.
“We invite parents, educators, and community members to participate in the review process, as their feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of education in our state,” said State Board of Education (SBOE) Chairman Aaron Kinsey.
Once the SBOE has approved the “high-quality instructional materials,” the books will be available for public schools in August 2025. School districts can decide whether to use the materials but will receive additional funding of $60 per student as an incentive.
“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,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement. “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.”
However, community activist and social scientist William Osaze isn’t so sure.
“Why should Texas public school parents, especially parents of Black and Brown children, expect much in the way of true, authentic history from textbooks endorsed by Abbott and others who have made it their business to remove Black history and Black perspectives and Black authors from schools,” Osaze asked.
Osaze plans to offer feedback on the textbooks, but hopes he’s not alone.
“Even though this is a faulty, white-leaning system, we’ve still got to make our voices heard. If we don’t, I can just see it now, us exploding at the white-washed nonsense in these books once they’re already approved and in the hands of students,” he added.
The legislation was passed during the last regular session at a time when some parents advocated to ban certain books deemed inappropriate for schools and public libraries in Texas. HB 1605 also required the State Board of Education to provide a list of instructional materials that are state-approved.
Per TEA, the textbooks will aim to “support teachers and improve student academic outcomes” in mathematics and elementary literacy, improve student learning, and close achievement gaps.
“These new Texas OER textbooks represent a significant step forward in our state’s commitment to providing exceptional instructional materials for Texas students and teachers,” said TEA Commissioner Mike Morath. “Now with the SBOE and public review process beginning, we can use additional feedback to make the materials even better this year.”
Biblical references in the school curriculum
The 74, an education news publication, reported the reading instructions contain a significant number of Biblical references under the curriculum overhaul. It also reported that Amplify, a leading publisher in New York, opted against bidding on a contract for further revisions to the curriculum, most of which comprised Biblical materials but not other world religions. This was unlike any other state the publisher had tweaked its curriculum for.
“There was not much appetite for a variety of wisdom texts,” she said. “There was much more of an appetite for the tie to traditional Christian texts,” Amplify spokeswoman Kristine Frech told The 74.
The TEA rejected these claims.
Soon after, the Boston-based company Public Consulting Group was awarded an $84 million contract to revise the curriculum.
What the textbooks entail, per TEA
The OER textbooks are aligned with state standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), according to TEA.
“These resources were developed using the best evidence from cognitive science to ensure teachers have access to quality, on-grade-level materials that enable teachers to focus on delivering the highest-quality instruction and providing differentiated supports to students,” a statement from TEA reads.
These books are of two types:
OER K-5 Reading and Language Arts (RLA) , which cover the English Reading and Language Arts TEKS, including classic literature, lessons on art, history, culture, science, and technology, and content representing “the diverse people, places and history of Texas,”
OER K-8/Algebra Mathematics, with materials adhering to the Math TEKS.
