Advocacy Update and Call to Action: Proposed statewide required reading list

What’s happening

The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is considering a new statewide reading list for public schools. House Bill 1605, which passed in 2023, only requires the SBOE to designate ONE literary work per grade level, not a state-sponsored, comprehensive list. Despite this, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has proposed approximately 20 texts per grade level for grades 6–12. Of those, five are full-length works (like novels, plays, etc.)

Why this is a problem

In middle and high school English classes, five long texts is close to a full year of reading. In practice, this means that teachers will likely only have time to get through those five texts. Teachers may not be able to add any books of their choosing.

This would limit local autonomy, reduce instructional flexibility, and crowd out books that have been successfully taught in many Texas schools.

Texas has never had a required statewide reading list, and state law does not require one now.

Why it matters

Texas classrooms are diverse, and students benefit when educators have the freedom to select literature that fits their communities and instructional goals.

A narrow, state-driven reading list risks limiting student exposure to varied voices, perspectives, and experiences.

TAKE ACTION:

Look up your State Board of Education (SBOE) representative and send a short email sharing your concerns. In Austin, the representative is Rebecca Bell-Metereau (rebecca.bellmetereau@sboe.texas.gov).

Even a brief message matters—SBOE members track volume and themes.

Key message to emphasize

The issue is not whether certain books are good or bad.

The issue is whether the state should effectively dictate a narrow literary canon, when the law only requires one book per grade level and Texas has long valued local decision-making.

Sample email script

Dear [SBOE member],

I am writing to express my concerns regarding TEA’s proposed statewide reading list for public schools. The proposed list of ~20 texts per grade level goes well beyond what is required by law and effectively dictates a narrow literary canon for all districts. Teachers will realistically only have time to assign the books on the list, limiting their autonomy to select literature that fits their communities and instructional goals.

Texas has long valued local decision-making. However, this proposal shifts decision-making away from educators and local districts to the detriment of our students. The current law does not require a statewide reading list, yet TEA has proposed one that severely restricts educators’ flexibility and ability to meet students’ needs.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Your address so they know you are a constituent]