Local Classroom Review and Compliance:
Classwork.com Has You Covered
It’s perfectly understandable if Texas educators and administrators feel overwhelmed by the new local classroom review and approval requirements in HB 1605 (Texas Education Code §26.006). Seemingly overnight, districts must now publicly post—and give parents easy access to—any instructional materials that fall outside the State Board of Education (SBOE)‑approved curriculum via the IMRA process.
On top of that, the law directs the SBOE to develop a standardized Local Classroom Review Rubric to be used by districts for evaluation of instructional materials before this content ever reaches students’ hands in Math or English class.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, this sounds complicated and time-consuming,” you’re not alone. Fortunately, the Texas version of Classwork.com has an Approval feature designed to simplify every step of this process—so your team can comply with state law without adding a mountain of paperwork.
Crofton ISD’s Transition Plan & Local Approval Requirements
The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Crofton ISD Sample OER Transition Plan provides a model for operationalizing TEC §26.006. In the TEA’s Crofton example:
- Teachers submit requests for (supplemental) instructional content to be evaluated.
- A stakeholder review committee evaluates each request on a quarterly schedule.
- Approved resources populate a centrally maintained “Approved Supplemental Materials List” that is publicly posted by the district.
From the TEA’s perspective, this approach ensures transparency, regular review cycles, and documented decision‑making—three pillars of compliance under TEC §26.006. Yet, many districts simply do not have the personnel or tools to manage these steps manually.
Introducing the SBOE Local Classroom Review Rubric
In November 2024, the TEA presented the first draft of the “Local Classroom Review Rubric: Mathematics K–12” to the SBOE. After a public comment period, the final is expected to be approved by the SBOE at its April 2025 meeting.
All Texas districts are required to use the rubric to evaluate locally developed or non-state-adopted curriculum materials used in any foundational course classroom. Its four domains ensure consistency statewide:
Domain | Key Question | Indicator Examples |
TEKS Alignment | Does it match grade‑level standards? | Demonstrates TEKS skills & process standards (1.1, 1.2) |
Depth & Coherence | Does it foster deep understanding? | Applies concepts in novel contexts (2.1, 2.2) |
Conceptual & Procedural Balance | Does it support varied representations? | Uses manipulatives alongside abstract practice (3.1, 3.2) |
Productive Struggle | Does it encourage critical thinking? | Supports complex problem solving & justification (4.1, 4.2) |
This rubric sets the bar for instructional quality, making sure all instructional materials meet a rigorous standard like those that went through IMRA.
Classwork.com Texas Edition: Digitizing Rubric‑Based Approval
Classwork.com transforms the SBOE rubric into an intuitive digital workflow— eliminating the need for spreadsheets, paper forms, and endless email threads. Here’s how it works:
Workflow Stage | Classwork.com Capability | SBOE Rubric Integration |
Submission | Teachers request approval directly within the Activity menu, choosing their grade‑ or subject‑level review team. | The request form prompts rubric‑aligned metadata (TEKS alignment, depth, balance, productive struggle). |
Review Dashboard | Reviewers access a centralized queue sorted by rubric domains, with each request scored against specific rubric indicators. | A digital rubric grid displays TEKS Alignment, Depth & Coherence, Conceptual Balance, and Productive Struggle side by side for transparent evaluation. |
Decision & Feedback | Reviewers approve or decline with rubric‑specific comments. Teachers instantly see rubric scores and reviewer feedback. | Ensures decision rationale directly corresponds to SBOE rubric criteria, fostering clear, actionable guidance for educators. |
Enforcement | A district-wide toggle for “Approval Required” prevents teachers from assigning the content until it’s approved. | Guarantees that only rubric‑compliant materials enter the classroom—every time. |
Reporting & Audit | Automated “Local Classroom Review Report” tracks rubric scores, approval rates, pending requests, and historical decisions—perfect for quarterly public posting. | Provides an audit-ready trail of compliance with TEC §26.006, eliminating manual record-keeping. |
Every action in Classwork.com is time‑stamped and securely logged, satisfying state audit requirements and giving district leaders peace of mind.
Benefits of Rubric‑Driven Digital Approval
- Consistency & Transparency: Everyone reviews using the same rubric framework—no guesswork or hidden criteria.
- Efficiency & Scalability: What takes weeks or months in Crofton ISD (fictional place) now takes hours in Classwork.com. Districts of any size can manage high volumes of requests effortlessly.
- Audit‑Ready Compliance: Detailed logs and built‑in reports fulfill public‑posting mandates and board documentation with zero manual effort.
- Teacher Empowerment: Instant rubric feedback helps educators refine content until it meets district standards—transforming compliance into a professional learning opportunity.
Enabling Compliance Without Added Burden
Even if your district is operating with minimal staff or resources, Classwork.com makes compliance achievable:
- Enable Approval Required in Organization Settings.
- Appoint a small core review team.
- Train teachers to request approval within Classwork.com before assigning content.
- Generate quarterly Local Classroom Review Reports for easy public posting and board review.
With Classwork.com, Texas districts no longer have to choose between compliance and capacity. Our Local Classroom Approval feature streamlines every step—so you can confidently meet state law requirements while keeping your focus where we all want it to be– on student success!!
