The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) convened in Austin from June 24–27, 2025, for its regular quarterly meeting, addressing a wide range of topics – some controversial – that will shape public education across Texas. The week included committee hearings, an update from Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, public testimony, and votes on policy updates. Here’s what you need to know: 

The SBOE finalized a major overhaul of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards for Career and Technical Education (CTE). Rules containing outdated TEKS in Chapter 130 of the Texas Administrative Code were repealed, with all revised and newly developed TEKS now housed in Chapter 127 to streamline and modernize how CTE courses align with workforce pathways. 

Additionally, the SBOE approved on first reading rules for new TEKS covering Business, Marketing & Finance, Health Science, and Manufacturing, including courses on commercial lending, pharmacy science, and nursing science, developed in partnership with Texas State Technical College and ESC Region 4. 

The board also gave final adoption to new employability skills standards (§127.15), which will be embedded in every high school CTE course to strengthen students’ communication, collaboration, and workplace readiness. 

The SBOE reviewed the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) proposed amendment to TAC Chapter 250, which updates procedures for petitioning for SBEC rule changes. (Under state law, the SBOE reviews and has the power to veto any SBEC rules.) 

As part of its routine four-year cycle, the SBOE reviewed and readopted Chapter 101 rules covering statewide student assessments. No rule changes were made at this time, but this review helps align future updates with legislative actions. 

The board discussed draft quality rubrics for the 2026 Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) cycle, which will be used to evaluate Tier 1 instructional materials and new supplemental materials like Positive Character Traits and early literacy. Updates and substitutions to previously adopted instructional materials were approved to ensure alignment with updated standards. 

The SBOE voted 9–5 to reapprove the Ethnic Studies: American Indian/Native Studies high school elective course. This decision allows school districts to continue offering the course for state credit despite concerns raised by some members about its connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which remains a point of contention under the state’s new restrictions. Some districts were specifically called out during discussion for how supplemental materials tied to this course are being taught. 

The board also voted on the commissioner’s Generation 30 open-enrollment charter proposals. The four approved “nonprofit public” charter schools (Arcadia High School in Houston, Fort Worth STEAM Academy in Fort Worth, Frank Liu Jr. Academy for Music and Arts in Houston and The Museum School of East Dallas) are slated to open for the 2026–27 school year (pending final contracts and contingencies). The SBOE vetoed proposals from Unidos Soccer Leadership Academy in San Antonio and Valenta Academy in Bastrop. Approved schools now enter a contingency period with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to finalize contracts and verify compliance with state standards, governance policies, and budget details. 

The SBOE adopted controversial revisions to the Framework for School Board Development. These revisions drew debate during the week’s meetings as well as at the prior SBOE meeting when the item was originally placed on the consent agenda without public comment or SBOE debate. 

The board approved a reappointment and a new appointment to the Boys Ranch ISD Board of Trustees, ensuring continuity and leadership stability for this unique district. 

In addition, the SBOE reviewed credit-by-exam audit reports, heard updates from the Permanent School Fund Corporation, and received reports from its Math and Social Studies Ad Hoc Committees. 

Commissioner Morath addressed the board at its Wednesday meeting, discussing STAAR testing results and taking questions from SBOE members on a range of topics. Read this earlier coverage from ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave for more on that discussion. 

The next SBOE meeting is scheduled for September 9–12, 2025. Big decisions on curriculum, assessment, and local oversight are still to come as the board continues its work to prepare for the next IMRA cycle and implement major changes made by House Bill (HB) 1605 in 2023. It’s important to stay engaged because every vote at the SBOE affects Texas classrooms, educators, and students statewide.