July 29, 2016

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Textbook and Instructional Materials Adoption Schedule for History and Social Science, Mathematics, English, and Science

The Virginia Board of Education received a report on the new textbook and instructional materials adoption schedule for history and social science, mathematics, English, and science on July 28, 2016.

The Board of Education's authority for approving textbooks and other instructional materials is prescribed in the Virginia Constitution and in the Code of Virginia.  The Board of Education's Regulations Governing Textbook Adoption specifies the types of materials that may be adopted.

The Board of Education's Regulations Governing Textbook Adoption specifies the types of materials that may be adopted.:

• Virginia Constitution, Article VIII, § 5 (d)
  It [the Board of Education] shall have authority to approve textbooks and instructional aids and materials for use in courses in the public schools of the Commonwealth.
• Code of Virginia, § 22.1-238
  A. The Board of Education shall have the authority to approve textbooks suitable for use in the public schools and shall have authority to approve instructional aids and materials for use in the public schools.  The Board shall publish a list of all approved textbooks on its web site and shall list the publisher and the current lowest wholesale price of such textbooks.
  B. Any school board may use textbooks not approved by the Board provided the school board selects such books in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board.
  C. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "textbooks" means print or electronic media for student use that serve as the primary curriculum basis for a grade-level subject or course.
• Regulations Governing Textbook Adoption (8 VAC 20-220-30)
  Only those materials which are designed to provide basic support for the instructional program of a particular content area at an appropriate level will be adopted.
• Regulations Governing Local School Boards and School Divisions (8VAC20-720-170)
  A. Textbook approval.
  1. The Board of Education shall have the authority to approve textbooks for use in the public schools of Virginia.

Generally, state textbook adoption in a subject area should be conducted shortly after the standards are revised.  The timeline will synchronize the state textbook adoptions and the Standards of Learning reviews.
Attachment A provides a chart with the adoption timelines for history and social science, mathematics, English, and science.

For further information, please contact Christonya Brown, coordinator for history and social science, Office of Humanities and Early Childhood, by e-mail at Christonya.Brown@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-2893.

SRS/CB/vdg

Attachments:

1. Textbook and Instructional Materials Adoption Schedule (PDF)