Based on TEA's own data, fully one-half of the schoolchildren in Texas do not have the new instructional programs aligned to the stronger curriculum standards that are reflected in the STAAR test.
Soon after the start of this school year, elected members of the State Board of Education expressed concern after learning many schools across the state have delayed ordering updated instructional materials under the new textbook purchasing system created by the Texas Legislature earlier this year in Senate Bill 6.
A Texas Curriculum analysis of current TEA data shows that as of September 20 just over 30 percent of schools have ordered the updated instructional materials. This new material contains the updated curriculum students need to prepare for the new STARR end-of course exams (see STAAR Information tab on this website.)
Students entering the 9th grade in school year 2011-12 will take the new EOC (end-of-course) assessments. The results of these tests will account for 15 percent of your child's final grade in the course.
These subjects listed below are essential to ensuring your child is ready for the new, more rigorous test.
Under Proclamation 2011, TEA recommends school districts purchase instructional materials in the following subjects:
- Prekindergarten Systems
- English Language Arts, Grades 2-8
- Spanish Language Arts, Grades 2-6
- English as a Second Language, Grades K-8 - Students and Teacher Editions
- Spelling, Grades 1-6
- Handwriting, Grades 1-3
- Speech, Grades 6-8
- English, Levels I-IV
Why must you follow up with your school district?
Now, new local control makes school districts prioritize their instructional materials decisions to address the assessment and accountability requirements, as the state rolls out the new STAAR end-of course assessments. The districts order and each superintendent will be required to certify that the district has instructional materials that cover all elements of the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum, other than physical education, for each grade level as required in the Texas Education Code, Section 28.002.
Senate Bill (SB) 6 is recent legislation from the 82nd Texas Legislature, which created an Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) for the purchase of instructional materials, technological equipment and technology-related services.
However, SB 6 states that priority must be given to foundation curriculum subjects for which the essential knowledge and skills have been substantially revised and for which assessment instruments are required to satisfy foundation curriculum requirements. The English language arts and science foundation subject areas have been revised substantially.