The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced updates and a new brand for Texas’s state-owned textbooks, now known as Bluebonnet Learning. A collection of high-quality math and elementary reading instructional materials, Bluebonnet Learning is designed to improve student academic outcomes by building foundational skills in reading and mathematics and providing valuable curricular and instructional support for Texas teachers.  

Bluebonnet Learning was developed in response to House Bill (HB) 1605 (88th Regular Session), which directed TEA to develop instructional materials for statewide use, subject to approval by the State Board of Education (SBOE). A highly transparent, three-month public feedback period began in May 2024, giving the public an opportunity to review and offer comments on the proposed materials. The SBOE also welcomed several hours of public testimony at its September meeting where additional feedback on the product was received. TEA used these comments and feedback to further refine, edit and ready the product for final submission as part of the SBOE’s Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process - ensuring the materials are aligned with state standards and values. 

The branding of Bluebonnet Learning began with feedback from teachers and parents seeking a clear, distinctive name to make the materials easier to recognize for educators and school systems.  Bluebonnet Learning materials are Texas Open Education Resources (OER), meaning they are owned by the state, made available free to anyone, and can be modified over time to make them better for students and teachers. If selected for inclusion on the SBOE’s list of high-quality instructional materials, Bluebonnet Learning will be an optional resource for Texas school systems.

For more information on Bluebonnet Learning and to view the updated materials, please visit tea.texas.gov/bluebonnet.

The SBOE will vote on Bluebonnet Learning and other products submitted as part of the IMRA process at the Board’s next general meeting November 19-22.

To support Texas reading language arts educators and stakeholders, our newsletter occasionally highlights a commonly asked question. This edition’s timely topic is below.

Question: Can a student in middle school be offered a high school course for credit?

Answer: Yes, per Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.26. Award of Credit. (b)  Districts may offer courses designated for Grades 9–12 (refer to §74.11 of this title (relating to High School Graduation Requirements)) in earlier grade levels.

 A course must be considered completed and credit must be awarded if the student has demonstrated achievement by meeting the standard requirements of the course, including demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter, regardless of the time the student has received instruction in the course or the grade level at which proficiency was attained.

The academic achievement record (transcript) shall reflect that students have satisfactorily completed courses at earlier grade levels than Grades 9–12 and have been awarded state graduation credits.

In 1994, Congress designated November 1 as National Family Literacy Day. Today, many Americans celebrate National Family Literacy Month throughout November to raise awareness of the important role families play in their children’s education.

Ways to celebrate National Family Literacy Month:

• Pull out your favorite childhood book(s) and read them to your children.
• Create a family reading schedule.
• Take a family trip to a local library.
• Create an in-home library with your child’s favorite books.
• Find books that have been made into movies. Read the book, then watch the movie as a family.

Strong family engagement is central to promoting children’s literacy and academic achievement in preschool, elementary school, and beyond. TEA has developed Parent Guides to help families understand some of the things their child will learn each school year in Prekindergarten 3, Prekindergarten 4, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade. Educators and parents can use these documents to spark conversations and increase families’ knowledge on how they can support their child at home.

• Prekindergarten Three-Year-Old Guide(Spanish version)
• Prekindergarten Four-Year-Old Guide(Spanish version)
• Kindergarten Guide(Spanish version)
• First Grade Guide(Spanish version)
• Second Grade Guide(Spanish version)

To learn more about family resources related to early childhood education, visit the TEA web page Family Resources.

If your family is in need of literacy resources, Books Beginning at Birth is a program in Texas that provides young children and their families access to books and resources to support the development of early literacy skills and foster a love of reading.

• All families can access an open library of hundreds of high-quality digital children’s books accompanied by videos and at-home literacy activities.
• Once enrolled, children may receive FREE print books delivered to their home twice a year until they turn age 5.

Apply now online or call the toll free number at (888) 952-9572 to sign up by phone. (Supplies are limited and preference is given to children living in Texas Opportunity Zones).