Call for Grade 7 Reading Instruments

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is notifying publishers that reading diagnostic instruments for students in Grade 7 (Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.006(c-1)) may be submitted for review for inclusion on the 2023-2027 Commissioner's List of Approved Grade 7 Reading Instruments.

In accordance with the TEC, §28.006(c-1), each school district and open-enrollment charter school is required to administer at the beginning of Grade 7 a reading instrument adopted by the commissioner to each student whose performance on the assessment instrument in reading administered under TEC, Section §39.023(a), to the student in Grade 6 who did not demonstrate reading proficiency, as determined by the commissioner. The district shall administer the reading instrument in accordance with the commissioner's recommendations under the TEC, §28.006(a)(1).

The 2023-2027 Commissioner's List of Approved Grade 7 Reading Instruments is expected to be made available in spring 2023 so that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools may order instruments for the 2023-2024 school year.

Important Dates

• Please note that the application form submission due date has been extended. The new date is January 27, 2023 (by 12:00 p.m.). Applications must be submitted:
  • via email to curriculum@tea.texas.gov (please include the subject line: Grade 7 Reading Instrument); or
  • by mail to 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78701 (Attention: Curriculum Division)
•  Call for Grade 7 Reading Instruments Frequently Asked Questions: posted December 20, 2022 (updated Dec. 27, 2022)
  • Call for Grade 7 Reading Instruments Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document

Application

To be considered for approval by the commissioner, the grade 7 student reading instrument must at a minimum:

• Be based on current, published scientific research in reading;
• Be age and grade-level-appropriate, valid, and reliable;
• Identify specific skill difficulties in word analysis, fluency, and comprehension; and
• Assist the teacher in making individualized instructional decisions based on the assessment results.

More information about the TEA Criteria for Evaluation of Reading Instruments can be found on November 25, 2022, in the Texas Register: Request for Student Reading Instrument Grade 7 Notice.

Publishers interested in submitting a reading instrument proposal must complete the Grade 7 Reading Instrument application form and submit it via e-mail or mail by 12:00 p.m. January 27, 2023. Incomplete applications or applications received after the due date will not be considered for review.