Committee approves middle‑school advanced math TEKS; staff amendments discussed but motion adopted as presented

The Committee of the Full Board approved second reading and final adoption of proposed new 19 TAC chapter 111, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics, subchapter B (middle school advanced mathematics, sections 111.29–111.31), a set of optional, accelerated middle‑school standards intended to prepare students to take Algebra I in grade 8.

The motion included a finding that immediate adoption is necessary with an effective date 20 days after filing in the Texas Register. Staff presented the set of optional courses (grade 6, grade 7, and grade 8 advanced mathematics) designed to compact the existing three‑year progression into two years for students in accelerated sequences; TEA staff said the standards are optional and districts may choose to implement them beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Staff also noted public comment (Feb. 28–Mar. 31) and provided a compiled comments packet and suggested clarifying edits for committee consideration.

Public testimony: Dr. Karina Bullock, retired mathematics teacher and a fellow at the Texas Education and Policy Institute, testified in support of the advanced middle‑school sequence and said research links taking advanced high school math sequences to higher college persistence and success; Bullock also said earlier access to Algebra I can improve students’ college readiness and that compaction is achievable if lower grades maintain foundational instruction.

Staff offered three targeted, technical amendments drawn from public comments and a work group: (1) revise the grade‑8 course title to read “grade 8 middle school advanced mathematics — Algebra I” to make the algebra alignment explicit; (2) insert clarifying language that “this course satisfies the requirement for any course which identifies Algebra I as a prerequisite” so that course sequences and prerequisites are explicit for districts; and (3) change select grade‑7 terminology from “functions” to “relationships” to reflect recommended grade‑level language. Committee members discussed assessment alignment (which assessment an accelerated eighth grader would take), personal financial literacy coverage that appears in grade‑6 and grade‑7 strands but not repeated in the grade‑8 accelerated Algebra I course, and district autonomy on which STAAR/End‑of‑Course assessment is appropriate for students who take advanced courses. Staff said assessment assignment decisions are local and that TEA will publish FAQs and guidance — practice varies and districts typically assign students to the assessment aligned to the instruction received that year.

The committee adopted the proposed new middle‑school advanced mathematics TEKS as presented in the motion. Members voted 7–2 in favor of final adoption; staff amendments were discussed during the meeting and will be reflected in published materials and FAQs where appropriate. TEA staff said they will publish the adopted text and supporting guidance, and that districts may begin implementing the optional advanced sequence in the 2025–26 school year.