The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) met June 22–26 in Austin, taking up a broad agenda that included final consideration of revised Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the statewide literary works list, instructional materials updates, and several rule proposals affecting Texas classrooms. 

Throughout the week, board members heard extensive public testimony, debated curriculum proposals, received updates from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and prepared for final action on several high-profile items. As detailed in this Teach the Vote update, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath also provided the board with a brief overview of recent STAAR results. 

The meeting generated significant public interest and media attention, with community members, educators, advocacy groups, and stakeholders from across the state participating in discussions and testimony. 

Final approval of Social Studies TEKS 

One of the most closely watched agenda items was the board’s final consideration of proposed revisions to the K–8 Social Studies TEKS, concluding a review process that began in 2025 as part of the SBOE’s scheduled curriculum review cycle. The board voted 9-5 in favor of adopting the revised K–8 Social Studies TEKS, which are expected to roll out beginning with elementary grades during the 2030-31 school year, with implementation expanding to additional grade levels over the following few years. The board decided to push final adoption of the high school standards to a later meeting. 

Board members spent considerable time discussing the proposed framework, which generated substantial public feedback throughout the review process. Supporters stated the revised standards strengthen civic literacy and expand emphasis on Texas history. Opponents raised concerns related to instructional scope, historical representation, developmental appropriateness, and implementation considerations for educators, as well as the quick timeline for the review process and which voices were included in or omitted from advisory groups. 

Drafts of the revised standards attracted attention for their increased emphasis on Texas history and changes in the organization and teaching of world history content. Under the new framework, students in early elementary grades would spend more time learning about key people, places, and events connected to Texas and U.S. history. World civilizations, currently taught in sixth grade, is eliminated, with the content taught earlier, in more chronological order, and spread out across multiple grades. This drew criticism from stakeholders who noted that world history, cultures, and geography receive less emphasis overall in the revised standards.  

Prior to the meeting, a group of Republican state legislators, led by House Public Education Committee Chair Brad Buckley (R–Salado) submitted a letter to SBOE members expressing support for adoption of the revised standards. Democrats, led by Rep. Salman Bhojani (D–Euless), also submitted a letter to the board. 

Adoption of statewide literary works list 

The board voted 9-5 to approve a statewide literary works list that will go into effect in the 2030-31 school year. The list is a requirement of House Bill (HB) 1605 by Buckley from the 2023 legislative session. This item has prompted significant testimony and discussion over several meetings related to literary quality, grade-level appropriateness, teacher flexibility, and the inclusion of religious texts. 

The adopted list includes approximately 200 literary passages and selections intended for use across grade levels, including several Bible stories and other texts that supporters argue provide important historical and cultural context for students. Supporters maintain  the list will help strengthen cultural literacy and ensure students are exposed to foundational works and references commonly encountered in literature, history, and civic life.  

Opponents raised concerns about several aspects of implementation, including the impact on local control and teacher autonomy in selecting instructional materials that best fit the needs of their students and families, noting the cultural literacy referenced by supporters is based on a relatively narrow cultural viewpoint far from representative of many American families. Questions were raised concerning the need for such a lengthy list of works when all required by HB 1605 was one selection per grade level. Teachers testified that the scope and length of the required list could create additional instructional demands on teachers and reduce flexibility in choosing materials that create connections for students within the already limited timeline of the academic year. Educators also expressed concern about whether classroom time would be sufficient to meaningfully engage with the required selections while still meeting other curriculum expectations. Without additional legislation, the list also represents a significant financial burden on districts as no funds have been specifically appropriated to purchase works on the approved list.  

Approval of instructional materials updates 

The SBOE also approved updates and substitutions to previously approved instructional materials. These actions allow publishers to make revisions, corrections, and updates to the materials currently available to school districts through the state adoption process. 

Approved updates included revisions to materials from several publishers across English language arts and reading, Spanish language arts, phonics, social studies, and mathematics. Changes were approved for products from Carnegie Learning, Savvas, Scholastic, and—most notably—TEA’s Bluebonnet Learning materials. These updates included revisions to both English and Spanish instructional resources and affected materials used across elementary and secondary grade levels. Approved changes must be incorporated into digital versions within 30 days, while print versions will be updated during future print runs.  

The Bluebonnet Learning materials received considerable attention during the discussion because of previous concerns raised about revisions and errors. Earlier this year, the SBOE approved thousands of corrections and updates to Bluebonnet materials, and recent reporting by The Texas Tribune projected the state will spend approximately $8.4 million to replace and revise printed materials.  

Additional SBOE business for June 2026 

Board members also considered several proposed rule actions and other routine business items related to curriculum standards, instructional materials processes, and statutory responsibilities assigned to the SBOE.  

One such responsibility included a vote to approve a new charter school application. The board approved Texas High School for Accelerated Learning, which plans to open two dropout recovery campuses in Aldine and Spring ISDs. This was the only charter moved forward for SBOE approval in this cycle. 

The SBOE is scheduled to meet again Aug. 31–Sept. 4, at which time the board will likely take up adoption of the high school Social Studies TEKS.  

Teach the Vote will continue to monitor and report on board actions.