The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) met for a full day Feb. 25 in a special-called meeting. The SBOE took up a tightly focused but consequential agenda: removal of rejected instructional materials, approval of updates to the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, adoption of the required civics training program, and continued work on the sweeping K–12 Social Studies TEKS revision. The meeting highlighted both procedural movement and philosophical divides regarding public education in Texas. 

SBOE approves roughly 4,200 Bluebonnet edits/corrections 

The most closely watched vote of the day came when SBOE members approved updates to Bluebonnet Learning instructional materials in math and reading language arts across K–8 and high school math. The motion passed 9–6 and requires that all approved changes be reflected in digital versions within 30 days and incorporated into print materials at the next press run. The six members who voted against the measure raised concerns that the sheer scale of roughly 4,200 corrections signaled weaknesses in the original Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) vetting process, risked undermining trust with local trustees and administrators, and placed additional mid-year implementation burdens on educators already using the state-developed materials.  

The vote follows identification of roughly 4,200 corrections and edits across the Bluebonnet curriculum. These edits include formatting problems, incorrect answer keys, factual inaccuracies, and image licensing concerns. Agency staff clarified that the 4,200 figure reflects all requested edits, not just factual errors, and that the state (taxpayers) will bear the cost of corrections. Several SBOE members expressed concern about the scale of revisions and what it signals about the review process. One board member noted that the number of corrections “undercuts the trust that we’re building with our local trustees and our local administrators.” Others emphasized that the materials are already serving hundreds of thousands of students and that quickly addressing the errors is critical. The 9–6 vote underscores continued division over the state’s role in developing curriculum, the integrity of the IMRA review process, and the implementation burden placed on educators navigating mid-cycle updates. On the bright side, ATPE is excited to report that one of our members has been chosen to review the Bluebonnet reading and math education educational resources in order to help improve student engagement and teacher efficiency. 

Discussion continues on Social Studies TEKS, highlighting philosophical divisions 

The meeting also included a tense exchange during public testimony related to the social studies standards. SBOE member Brandon Hall questioned whether a Muslim woman representing a civil rights organization should be allowed to testify. After consulting with legal counsel, board leadership affirmed the speaker’s right to participate in the public hearing. The moment prompted visible disagreement among members and later criticism regarding tone and inclusivity. 

After public testimony, the board spent significant time continuing discussion of the Social Studies TEKS revision.  

Debate ensued on topics ranging from early presidential history and religion’s historical role in our country’s founding to issues of grade-level scope and vertical alignment. Board members questioned whether recommendations from work groups struck the right balance between breadth and teachability. Concerns surfaced about potentially condensing references to foundational figures and events. Some board members emphasized the need to ensure religious influences are addressed where historically relevant. Amid the philosophical discussion about how history should be framed, one board content advisor urged SBOE members to emphasize unity, stating: “We need to start thinking about what we have in common and not what makes us different.” The reoccurring theme of the day was how to balance representation, historical complexity, and civic cohesion within statewide standards. The TEKS draft will continue moving through the revision process ahead of anticipated first reading later this year. 

Required civics training for elementary teachers and administrators approved 

The board approved content for the required civics training program for elementary teachers and administrators in a 10–3 vote. The training will be delivered through education service centers (ESCs), with Region 18 ESC serving as the “train-the-trainer” hub. Districts will not be charged for participation, and teachers may receive stipends as authorized by statute. Members asked detailed questions about logistics: who trains the trainers, how compliance will be tracked, and what happens if trained staff leave a campus. Agency staff confirmed that each campus must maintain at least one trained administrator and teacher and that certification is a one-time requirement. During discussion, one member clarified, “Once a teacher receives their certificate, it’s done, right?” Staff confirmed: “One time.” Despite earlier public testimony raising concerns about the depth and structure of the training, the board moved forward with approval. 

Action postponed on required parental rights training for district trustees 

The board once again postponed action on required parental rights training for district trustees until its April meeting. Before postponing, however, members adopted an amendment specifying that the training be delivered through the TEA Learn platform with Microsoft Immersive Reader functionality rather than in video format. Members debated whether switching formats later could jeopardize the statutory deadline requiring trustees to complete the training by Sept. 1, 2026. When asked whether the agency could produce a video in time if the board changed direction in April, staff members responded they would need to assess production timelines. The amended motion to postpone passed unanimously, giving board members additional time to refine the content while signaling a preference for text-based delivery at this stage. 

The special-called meeting advanced curriculum and training items while revealing ongoing divisions within the board. Bluebonnet corrections will now move into implementation, civics training will proceed toward rollout, trustee training returns to the SBOE in April, and Social Studies TEKS revisions continue toward first reading.