The State Board of Education (SBOE) met Nov. 18–21 in Austin and covered an agenda that was packed with decisions that will shape classroom practice, district planning, and educator workload for the 2026–27 school year and beyond. From IMRA approvals under HB 1605 to new Career and Technical Education (CTE) TEKS, graduation rule changes, and early steps toward the statewide literary works list, the board’s actions this week carry real implications for public schools across Texas.

IMRA Cycle 2025

The board spent its opening day in an all-day review of materials submitted under the IMRA Cycle 2025, including K–6 ELAR/SLAR, K–6 and 7–12 math, phonics programs, and Spanish-language resources. This cycle is the first major HB 1605 implementation milestone for many districts. After extended discussion and multiple amendments, the board advanced the core recommendations but did not take final action on the full IMRA list, which will return for January adoption. Board members raised concerns about Texas Education Agency (TEA) scoring inconsistencies, transparency in the instructional-materials rubric, and whether districts would have sufficient flexibility to use non-IMRA materials. The new IMRA suitability rule under 19 TAC §67.27, which changed eligibility criteria for suitability reviewers, was approved on first reading, with several members insisting they will request amendments before January to restore educator representation. Districts should plan for continued uncertainty until final IMRA adoption—especially those districts that rely on guaranteed funding tied to IMRA-approved materials.

CTE TEKS

The board considered four sets of CTE TEKS spanning Business/Marketing/Finance, Health Science, Manufacturing, and Law and Public Service. Final adoption passed for Business/Marketing/Finance, Health Science, and Manufacturing TEKS on votes ranging from 11–2 to 13–1. The Law and Public Service TEKS advanced on first reading, with several SBOE members expressing concern about the law-enforcement pathway content and alignment with standards. Districts should expect implementation guidance from TEA beginning this spring, with instructional materials alignment to follow.

Graduation requirements, financial literacy standards, and endorsement pathways

Several rule amendments were adopted to align graduation requirements, financial literacy standards, and endorsement pathways with recent legislation. All graduation alignment items passed unanimously on second reading and final adoption. Board members emphasized the need for early counselor training, noting that districts will need updated course catalogs by early spring for 2026–27 planning.

Literary works list required by HB 1605

One of the most closely watched agenda items was the first public discussion of the statewide K–12 literary works list required by HB 1605. The board did not review or vote on any book titles as no draft list exists yet. TEA presented an overview of survey data and the timeline for contracting support to develop the list. Several board members raised concerns that the process is already behind schedule relative to the statutory deadline. A draft list is expected in early 2026.

Gifted-and-talented identification rules

The board adopted adjustments to GT identification rules, including updates to cross-references and clarifications to local screening processes. The final adoption passed unanimously, with several members stressing the importance of monitoring equity impacts in identification.

SBOE committee work

• The Committee on School Finance reviewed and approved on first reading revisions to accounting and auditing rules under 19 TAC Chapter 109. The committee will have a second reading of these rules in January. Leaders from multiple recapture districts testified the rules could further penalize districts with statutorily limited fund balances, potentially affecting FIRST ratings.
• The Committee on School Initiatives took up proposed accountability changes for educator preparation programs (EPPs). The revised EPP accountability framework passed on first reading, with several board members requesting clearer definitions for student-growth metrics and alternative certification pathways. Stakeholder testimony highlighted concerns about the potential for smaller EPPs to lose approval under the new performance indicators.

Charter applications

TEA briefed the board on the Generation 31 open-enrollment charter applications. After public testimony, the board voted 8–6 to veto two of the proposed new charter campuses due to concerns about geographic saturation and fiscal oversight, but other applications were allowed to proceed.

Parental rights training materials

The board held a public hearing on parental rights training materials under SB 204 and previewed the forthcoming parental rights handbook. The draft was accepted for public comment, but no final vote occurred. Several board members stated they expect substantial revisions in response to stakeholder feedback, including concerns about overreach into campus-level decision making and educator-parent relationships.

The board adopted updates to the Texas Register filing schedule for rulemaking. SBOE members approved several Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) disbursement rule updates related to HB 8 implementation, and TEA provided an update on Purple Star Campus expansions, but no vote was required.

The November 2025 SBOE meeting represents another major step in shaping the state’s next phase of curriculum, instruction, governance, and assessment. ATPE will continue monitoring SBOE activity, tracking rulemaking timelines, reviewing draft materials, and providing opportunities for educators to offer feedback on upcoming decisions. The SBOE will meet again Jan. 28–31, 2026.