November 2019 Committee on Instruction Item 4
Approval of Update of Instructional Materials for EDUSPARK, Inc.
November 15, 2019
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: EDUSPARK, Inc. is requesting approval to update content in four of its adopted products for Spanish language arts and reading: Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura Kindgergarten; Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 1; Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 4; and Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 5. The updated content has been reviewed by curriculum subject-area specialists and determined to address the pertinent student expectations in a manner equal to the content initially reviewed and approved by the state review panel.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §31.003 and §31.022.
TEC, §31.003, permits the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt rules for the adoption, requisition, distribution, care, use, and disposal of instructional materials.
TEC, §31.022(b), requires the SBOE to adopt rules to provide for a full and complete investigation of instructional materials for each subject in the foundation curriculum and for each subject in the enrichment curriculum.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: Spanish language arts and reading instructional materials from EDUSPARK, Inc. were adopted in November 2018 under Proclamation 2019. At the September 2019 meeting, the SBOE postponed action on this item until the November 2019 meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Texas Administrative Code §66.75 permits a publisher to submit a request for approval to substitute an updated edition of state-adopted instructional materials. This section also requires that all requests for updates involving content in state-adopted instructional materials be approved by the SBOE prior to their introduction into state-adopted instructional materials. Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura Kindgergarten (9781948617567); Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 1 (9781948617574); Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 4 (9781948617604); and Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 5 (9781948617611), published by EDUSPARK, Inc., underwent review by state review panels in the summer of 2018. Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura Kindgergarten was found to have 67.86% Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) coverage, Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 1 was found to have 58.33% TEKS coverage, Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 4 was found to have 68.75% TEKS coverage, and Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 5 was found to have 78.13% TEKS coverage.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: Product updates provide more accurate student and teacher instructional materials. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve the request from EDUSPARK, Inc. to update Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura Kindgergarten; Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 1; Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 4; and Lengua, Ritmo y Cultura 5 adopted in November 2018 under Proclamation 2019.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Support Services
Kelly Callaway, Senior Director, Instructional Materials
Separate Exhibit: EDUSPARK, Inc. Update Request