HQIM Review Process

The state gives schools yearly money to buy instructional materials for various grade levels and courses. The State Textbook Committee, working with the State Department of Education and experts, reviews these materials for quality. Textbooks, which can be printed or digital, are rated by review teams using a three-tier system: "Exemplifies Quality," "Approaching Quality," and "Not Representing Quality." The State Textbook Committee has the final decision on approved materials. 70 O.S. § 16-102

• All approved titles of textbooks and instructional material programs can be found here.
• The current instructional material subject cycle can be found here.

In 2020, HB 3466, amending 70 O.S. § 16, was passed making changes to the State Textbook Committee structure and review process to strengthen the quality of state-level instructional materials reviews. The new process requires a three-tiered system of evaluation is conducted with the assistance of a review committee composed of subject area experts. Below are a list of statues in Article XVI that were modified.

• § 16-101. State Textbook Committee - Members - Qualifications
• § 16-102. Meetings of State Textbook Committee - Selection of Textbooks - Review Teams - Evaluation Rubric - Petition to Add Books - Rules
• § 16-104. Bids - Delivery - Investigation - Rubric
• § 16-110. List of Textbooks
• § 16-111. Local Textbook Committee - Examination Copies - Adoptions - Requisitions
• § 16-111.1. Supplementary Textbooks and Materials

The State Textbook Committee, in coordination with the OSDE, selects teams of subject matter experts through an application process to review instructional materials submitted through the state bidding process. These experts evaluate materials using a subject-specific rubric with three rating levels:

• Exemplifies Quality 
• Approaching Quality
  
• Not Representing Quality

The experts submit their evaluations and recommended ratings to the State Textbook Committee, which reviews the recommendations and may request further justification before finalizing ratings. Approved textbooks and instructional materials are then added to the official list, with completed rubrics made publicly available.

• March: Intent to Bid opens for publishers, and the content review team application opens
• April: Intent to Bid due, and content review team application due 
• May: Content review teams created
• June: Publishers submit a final bid, and content reviewers train
• July: Publishers present material to STC
• July - October: Content review teams conduct instructional material evaluations
• November: STC votes to approve instructional material ratings and approved list
• January: Publisher contracts are sent out
• January - April: District-level evaluations of textbook and instructional materials
• July: State textbook allocations are available to districts to purchase materials approved last November

Carolynn Bristow 
Project Manager, Educational Materials
Oklahoma State Department of Education
(405) 522-1904
carolynn.bristow@sde.ok.gov