In its meeting next week, the State Board of Education will be considering last minute changes before finally voting on a required list of literary works for students as well as revised social studies standards.
As nearly half of Texas students do not read at grade level, the SBOE is set to consider a new required reading list mandated by House Bill 1605 (2023).
The new list of books will support “growing literacy and academic development, knowledge of the world, and moral formation,” said Matthew McCormick, education director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “English education should promote literacy and literary understanding, but, as art has the power to shape hearts, the stories students read should impart in them powerful lessons and morals, not grievance or narcissistic navel-gazing.”
The proposed list has students beginning with books such as “The Cat in the Hat” (K) and Nursery Rhymes (K) learning in a phonics-based program. As they grow, they will explore “Charlotte’s Web” (3rd grade), “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” (4th grade), “Across Five Aprils” (6th grade), “The Giver” (8th grade), and works such as “Animal Farm” and “Pride and Prejudice” in high school.
The list also includes books about American heroes, Bible passages, and other stories that McCormick says are “vital for the formation of mature, virtuous adults.”
Critics have said the list does not include enough diversity.
“For so many years, students of color have had to endure a European-centered philosophy, history without representation of their own history,” said board member Tiffany Clark (D–Desoto) during a January meeting.
Board member Brandon Hall (R–Aledo) defended the selections. “When we’re looking at classical literature, we’re looking at literature that has stood the test of time. People have been reading these works for generations; there’s a reason they haven’t fallen off. What does the race or gender of an author have to do with the quality of the literature?”
The board is also expected to give final approval to revised social studies standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or TEKS.
This revision incorporates several education bills passed during the 2025 legislative session and must be adopted by July 31.
Supporters say the proposed standards place greater emphasis on both U.S. and Texas history, help coherence by teaching chronologically, as well as helping students understand cause-and-effect relationships and historical patterns.
McCormick has expressed concerns ahead of Monday that the TEKS still have flaws by pushing social justice agendas, oversimplifying complex matters, and remaining vague in important matters.
“At a time when woke activists are working to rewrite history and inject political ideology into the classroom, it is critical that parents and citizens speak up for an education rooted in truth,” said Vanessa Sivadge, the president of Protecting Texas Children.
Texans can testify at the June 22 meeting or can contact their SBOE representative. The livestream of the meeting will be available here from June 22-26.
