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Phase 2: Selection of Instructional Materials

The selection of instructional materials for review through the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process is a strategic effort to ensure that Texas students have access to high-quality, standards-aligned, and suitable educational resources. Due to review capacity limitations, the agency must prioritize submissions that most directly support current instructional needs across Texas classrooms. This includes materials aligned to recently revised TEKS, those with significant market share, and those identified by SBOE vote. The selection process enables TEA to allocate resources effectively, uphold rigorous evaluation standards, and support statewide instructional priorities. 

Each year, TEA issues a Request for Instructional Materials (RFIM) that outlines the subject areas, grade levels, and types of instructional materials eligible for review. Instructional materials are selected through a combination of voluntary submissions and required reviews. The sections below outline and clarify the prioritization protocol and steps of the selection process. 

Prioritization Protocol 

TEA applies an SBOE-approved prioritization protocol to determine which instructional materials will be reviewed in each IMRA cycle when the number of submissions exceeds the agency’s minimum review threshold of approximately 200 programs per year. This protocol ensures that the most critical and relevant materials are evaluated first, based on statutory requirements, instructional priorities, and market impact. The prioritization process is outlined in the RFIM and governed by the authority granted under 19 TAC §67.25, which establishes the criteria for SBOE consideration and approval of instructional materials.

If the number of submissions exceeds TEA’s capacity, the following prioritization criteria are applied in order: 

  • Materials Required by SBOE Vote
    • The SBOE may vote to require specific instructional materials to be reviewed at the January 2026 SBOE meeting, January 26–30, 2026. These materials receive the highest priority and are automatically included in the review cycle.
  • Materials Aligned to Recently Revised TEKS
    • Instructional materials that support the most recently revised TEKS are prioritized to ensure alignment with current standards and to support timely implementation in classrooms.
  • Open Education Resource (OER) Materials
    • OER submissions are prioritized to promote equitable access to high-quality, free instructional resources for all Texas students.
  • Materials with Highest Market Share
    • TEA uses data from the Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials and allotment spend reports to identify the most widely purchased and used materials in Texas schools. These materials are prioritized to ensure that high-impact resources meet state standards. View the Market Share Analysis section for additional details.
  • Voluntary Publisher Submissions
    • Publishers may voluntarily submit materials for review. These are considered after required and high-priority materials, with additional consideration given to:
      • Programs submitted in the first year of a new IMRA quality rubric for a subject or grade level
      • Materials aligned to recently revised TEKS
      • Submissions from local school systems 

Market Share Analysis 

As part of the instructional materials selection process, TEA conducts a market share analysis to identify which instructional materials are most widely used across Texas school systems. This analysis is a critical factor in determining which materials are prioritized for review in each IMRA cycle. The market share analysis is based on two primary data sources: 

  • Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials
    • This annual report provides insight into which materials districts have certified as being in use to meet TEKS requirements.
  • Allotment Spend Data
    • TEA reviews purchasing data from the instructional materials and technology allotment to determine which materials have received the highest investment from school systems. 

Materials with the highest market share, those most frequently purchased and used, are prioritized for review to ensure that the most influential resources in Texas classrooms meet the state’s standards for quality, accuracy, and suitability. This approach helps TEA and the SBOE focus their review efforts on materials that have the greatest impact on student learning statewide. TEA presents the market share analysis and list of voluntary submissions to the SBOE. The SBOE may vote to require specific instructional materials to be reviewed in the current cycle. 

Notification and Onboarding 

Publishers are officially notified of their selection for IMRA Cycle 2026 by February 4, 2026, following the State Board of Education’s January meeting. At this time, TEA informs publishers whether their submitted programs have been selected for review. Publishers whose programs are not selected are released from the cycle and are not required to complete further deliverables. 

Once selected, publishers begin the onboarding process. Publishers must provide full access to their instructional materials, including student, teacher, and administrative components. They are also responsible for submitting finalized TEKS and ELPS correlations, quality and suitability rubric correlations, component lists, navigation guides, and access credentials for both reviewers and the public. Review the IMRA Cycle 2026 Request for Instructional Materials (RFIM) for specific due dates. 

TEA offers support through publisher office hours and onboarding webinars, which provide guidance on deliverables, timelines, and expectations. Publishers are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions to ensure successful participation. 

Next Steps 

  • Review the RFIM to understand the subject areas and grade levels included in the current IMRA cycle.
  • Monitor communications from TEA for updates on selection status and onboarding instructions.
  • Prepare full program access for review, ensuring all components are complete and meet pre-review requirements.
  • Respond to selection notification and begin onboarding.
  • Stay informed by attending TEA Publisher Office Hours and reviewing the IMRA timeline and deliverables.
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Publisher Office Hours 

TEA hosts weekly office hours every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. CT for publishers interested in participating in IMRA Cycle 2026. During office hours, TEA staff provide training, share information, and answer publishers’ questions. Publishers are encouraged to attend office hours, which are hosted on Zoom.