Textbook Adoption 2024

Throughout my time as a high school science teacher, I often considered using the latest technological developments to make my work easier. In my instructional practice, I encountered problems that needed a solution, and I pursued applications of technology to solve my problems. For example, I wanted the ability to write on my PowerPoint presentations so I could slow down the thinking in my classroom. I desired to face the class as I wrote on the "board." After defining my problem, I searched for a piece of hardware that could sit on my podium and enable me to write out dimensional analysis equations on my presentation while watching my high school students work through the equations with me. My understanding of my problem, as it related to my practice, influenced the technological solution I pursued.

Sometimes, technology was provided by my administration to solve larger systemic problems, such as communication or organization of the faculty's collective work. Some of this technology became critical to my work, and others quickly fell to the side because the applications took too much time to implement and did not adequately improve our work. After a few false starts with new technology, I developed a litmus test for assessing the value of new technology offerings. By definition, technology solves problems. When reviewing new hardware or software for application in my teaching practice, I began to use this simple principle to assess the value of new applications. Is this application going to make my work more meaningful or efficient? Is there a specific problem that this particular application will solve? Will this new development bring greater learning to my students through improving communication or enabling data to be collected or stored in a useful way? These questions became my guiding principles for seeking to improve instructional practice through the implementation of technological advancement in the classroom.

January 2024 will herald a season of change as we consider which developer designed the best resource to meet our current needs as science and technology educators. As you move toward final decisions for Proclamation 2024, I ask that you think deeply about your current problems and consider how different resources might fill the needs you identify. Are you looking for a resource that makes work efficient so you can limit the amount of time spent planning lessons? Maybe you have the goal of improving student thinking skills, and you are looking for a resource that de-emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence. Perhaps you have many teachers establishing a new practice, and you are looking for tools to make their work easier so they stay in this complex profession. Whatever your situation, first, seek to understand your problem. Then, look for the solution.

Preparations are underway for the regional Textbook Adoption Event scheduled for January 25. At this event, you will have an opportunity to hear first-hand from publishers you may be considering for adoption. This event will be come-and-go, so you have the option to only attend sessions of interest to your committee. We hope to see you there. Register today!

If you are wondering which publishers will be in attendance, check the ESC Region 11 Textbook Adoption Webpage. The list of publishers will be added after the State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts resources in November 2023. Only publishers adopted at the November SBOE meeting will be in attendance.

The list of publishers attending ESC Region 11's event will be updated on our webpage as new publishers elect to attend. A complete list of all publishers that have submitted resources for review can be located at this link.

Also, if you are hoping to see a particular publisher at this event, please click the publisher request button below. We will let that publisher know about the interest in viewing their resources.

The Texas Resource Review (TRR) Reports are ready for review. The reports were developed by a committee of state science stakeholders for assessing science materials for adoption. Click the links below to find reports in each science grade level and content area. The rubrics used for scoring submitted publications are also linked below.

TEA offers detailed guidance on understanding and using the TRR reports. Follow the link below to learn about how the rubrics were developed and to understand the different sections. In addition, guidance is offered for using the TRR website to locate an in-depth evaluation of each publication submitted for review.

If you see a session you would like offered at your campus or district professional learning event, please reach out. Content can be adjusted to fit your specific needs. I also provide instructional coaching in science and STEM tailored to your teachers' needs.

Monica K. Amyett, Ph.D.

Instructional Content Coach Science/STEM

Instructional Services, ESC Region 11

817-740-7520 • mamyett@esc11.net