Social Studies Newsletter, August 2024
This issue of the TEA social studies newsletter provides information on the following topics:
- Revised Social Studies TEKS Are Now Implemented for the 2024-2025 School Year
- TEA Resources for the Revised Social Studies TEKS
- August Social Studies Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: Celebrate Freedom Week Requirements and Resources Dates: August 26 and 27
- Updated Innovative Course Application Timeline
- The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Social Studies Course Needs
Instructional Materials Update - June 6, 2014
- EMAT Prerequisites for School Year 2024–25
- AIM Ordering
- Public Comment Period of IMRA Process is Open
TEA EMAIL UPDATES
March 5, 2024 - Instructional Materials Updates
[Action Required] EMAT Closing Soon for School Year 2024–25
The instructional materials ordering system known as EMAT will close at 12:00 p.m. CDT on March 29, 2024. Local educational agencies (LEAs) should place orders for instructional materials before March 29, 2024. EMAT is scheduled to reopen for ordering materials for the 2024−25 school year on May 15, 2024.
Please note: any requests in In Progress status should either be submitted or canceled by March 25, 2024. Please use your LEA’s “Allotment Disbursement” link to identify any in-Progress requests.
[Action Required] Submission of Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC) §31.1011 LEAs are required to certify annually to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the commissioner that students have access to instructional materials covering all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects, except physical education.
Additionally, LEAs are required to certify that they protect against access to obscene or harmful content in compliance with the requirements for certification under (i) the Children's Internet Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 106-554); (ii) Section 28.0022; (iii) Section 43.22, Penal Code; and (iv) any other law or regulation that protects students from obscene or harmful content. The TEKS Certification 2024–25 Survey includes a section for LEAs to certify they meet this requirement.
Like last year’s process, the agency will utilize the following tools:
Certification 2024–25 Form:
Printable, hard copy of the survey to be completed offline and presented to the board of trustees or governing body for ratification and signatures.
Certification 2024–25 Survey:
Web-based application where LEAs will submit their responses, collected on the TEKS Certification 2024–25 Form, and where LEAs will upload the signature page of the Form.
Required Action
- This year’s Certification Process requires:
- The completion of the Certification 2024–25 Form;
- Ratification by the LEA’s board of trustees or governing body in an open, public-noticed meeting; and
- Submission of the Certification 2024–25 Survey and upload of the ratified Certification 2024–25 Form.
TEA recommends that LEAs complete these steps no later than May 1, 2024. The Certification 2024–25 Form can be accessed on the Instructional Materials webpage. Completion of the Certification Process is required to regain access to allotment funds when EMAT reopens in May of 2024.
Certification 2024–25 Survey submissions received after May 15, 2024, will typically be processed within five business days, and access to EMAT will follow.
Instructions to Complete the Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials Process for 2024–25:
- Review the Certification 2024–25 Form: Print the fillable Certification 2024–25 Form found on the Instructional Materials website.
- Gather information: The form may require consultation with content area leads or other LEA staff.
- Complete Certification 2024–25 Form: Complete the TEKS Certification 2024–25 Form by hand or digitally.
- Obtain needed signatures: Ratify the Certification 2024–25 Form by the LEA’s board of trustees or governing body in an upcoming, open board meeting.
- Submit Certification 2024–25 Survey: Complete the online Certification 2024–25 Survey by answering the questions. Inside the survey, you will upload the signed Certification 2024–25 Form from Step 4. The survey will be open for submissions beginning Monday, March 18, 2024, and will be located on the Instructional Materials website.
Additional Supports
- TEA will host a webinar to review the Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials Process for 2024–25 on Monday, March 18, at 2:00 p.m. CDT. Registration is required.
- TEA will host office hours on Monday, March 25, at 11:00 a.m. CDT and Thursday, March 28, at 11:00 a.m. CDT. Registration is required.
- All instructional materials listed on the survey can be found on the Instructional Materials website.
- To facilitate completion of this year’s submission, LEAs may request a copy of their previous year’s submission by submitting a Help Desk Ticket.
- For questions about the TEKS Certification 2024–25 form, survey, or process, please submit a Help Desk ticket.
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
LEAs can order accessible formats of adopted instructional materials and TEA Available Instructional Materials for students with print disabilities through EMAT at any time after it opens in May. The Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials does not need to be submitted in order to place AIM requisitions and the cost of state-adopted AIM does not come out of an LEA’s allotment funds.
LEAs that choose to purchase non-adopted instructional materials should remember that, should braille, large-print, or audio versions be required by a student’s individualized education or 504 plan, the LEA is required to provide those using allotment or local funds.
Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) Reviewers
We are now accepting applications for the upcoming IMRA review. Anyone with relevant content expertise for K–5 English and Spanish language arts and reading, K–3 English and Spanish phonics, or K–12 mathematics is encouraged to apply. This work includes a competitive stipend and reimbursement for any travel expenses. Learn more about IMRA, the review cycle, and the available roles through an information session. (Note: You can read more about the opportunity in the 02/15/2024 To the Administrator Addressed correspondence.) Fill out a registration form to join a meeting on one of these dates:
- March 6
- March 20
- April 3
- April 17
- May 1
Proclamation 2024 Update
The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted instructional materials for Proclamation 2024 at the November meeting. The following reports are available in the Proclamation 2024 section of the Proclamations webpage:
- Proclamation 2024 List of Materials Adopted by SBOE
- Proclamation 2024 TEKS Not Addressed
- Proclamation 2024 Comprehensive Report of Editorial Changes (Publishers A–L)
- Proclamation 2024 Comprehensive Report of Editorial Changes (Publishers M–T)
- Proclamation 2024 Report of New Content (Comprehensive)
- Proclamation 2024 Final Report of Required Corrections
The changes or corrections on the last four reports must be made by the publishers in the final versions of instructional materials provided to schools as a condition of adoption by the SBOE.
Texas Resource Review Science Reports
The science quality reviews conducted through the Texas Resource Review (TRR) are complete and the final reports are available on the TRR website. Quality reviews began in April 2023 with over 200 Texas science educators from across the state serving as reviewers. The final reports include:
Science Grades K–8
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Visit the Texas Resource Review webpage or submit an Instructional Materials Help Desk ticket with any questions related to the TRR.
To the Administrator Addressed Update - February 29, 2024
Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials
Division - District Operations, Technology, and Sustainability Supports