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HB 2 Implementation: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Instruments and Extension of Current K–2 Reading Instruments

House Bill (HB) 2, 89th Texas Legislature, established statewide requirements related to foundational literacy and numeracy instruments. The purpose of this correspondence is to provide implementation guidance for these requirements, notify school systems of extensions to existing commissioner‑approved K–2 reading instruments, remind school systems of universal dyslexia screening requirements for the 2026–27 school year, and share information regarding the upcoming solicitation for new commissioner‑approved instruments.

Implementation Guidance for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Instruments

Guidance for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Instruments in the 2026–27 School Year
Until the commissioner adopts the list of foundational literacy and numeracy instruments for kindergarten through grade 3 as required under , a school system may choose to comply with the requirements to administer these instruments by administering a foundational literacy and numeracy assessment instrument selected by the board of trustees of the school system, as stated in , that meets statutory requirements listed under . Therefore, school systems are encouraged but not required to administer board-selected literacy and numeracy instruments during the interim period (2026–27 school year). Note that the instruments under are different from the kindergarten readiness assessments required under . Administration of a beginning-of-year kindergarten reading readiness instrument using one of the two commissioner-approved kindergarten reading readiness instruments continues to be required.

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Instruments Under TEC, §28.0063 to be Implemented in the 2027–28 School Year
requires the commissioner to adopt a list of reading and mathematics instruments to measure a student’s foundational literacy skills in reading development and comprehension and foundational numeracy skills in mathematics. To meet all requirements of statute, this list is expected to be approved ahead of the 2027–28 school year.

Beginning in the 2027–28 school year, school systems will be required to select and administer only instruments from the commissioner‑approved list. All students in kindergarten through grade 3 must be assessed using commissioner-approved foundational literacy and numeracy instruments, in accordance with . These instruments will be required to be administered as follows:

• Kindergarten: Middle-of-year (MOY) and end-of-year (EOY)
• Grades 1–2: Beginning-of-year (BOY), MOY, and EOY
• Grade 3: BOY and MOY (For Grade 3, the EOY component will be administered through the state’s summative academic achievement assessment—currently STAAR—which will transition to the Student Success Tool, as required by HB 8, beginning in the 2027–28 school year.)

Note: BOY kindergarten assessment requirements are governed by TEC, §28.006, Kindergarten Reading Readiness. To meet this requirement, school systems must administer one of the commissioner-approved kindergarten reading readiness instruments. These instruments are provided at no cost.

Extension of Current Commissioner-Approved K–2 Reading Instruments

To ensure continuity and avoid disruption to school systems currently monitoring student reading performance in kindergarten through grade 2, as these were required under former statute prior to the passage of HB 2, the ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ (ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ) has extended the authorization period for commissioner-approved reading instruments through August 2027. These tools will continue to be provided at no cost to school systems for the 2026–27 school year.

• For kindergarten, Circle Kindergarten Progress Monitoring (formerly TX-KEA) by CLI and mCLASS Texas by Amplify will remain available as free, commissioner-approved kindergarten reading readiness instruments and must be used to fulfill requirements for the 2026–27 school year.
• For grades 1 and 2, TPRI/Tejas LEE and mCLASS Texas by Amplify will also remain available as free, commissioner-approved reading instruments. School systems may continue to select an alternate reading instrument for grades 1 and 2 through their district-level committee in accordance with ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ guidelines.

Please note: TPRI/Tejas LEE instruments are supported by multiple vendors, including CLI, Amira, and Tango Software; only the CLI version is offered at no cost.

Universal Dyslexia Screener for Kindergarten and Grade 1

requires universal screening for dyslexia in kindergarten and grade 1. These screeners must continue to be administered in the 2026–27 school year in accordance with The Dyslexia Handbook: Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders, 2024 Update.

Upcoming Solicitation for K–3 Instruments

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ will initiate an application process to identify commissioner‑approved kindergarten reading readiness instruments and commissioner‑approved foundational literacy and numeracy instruments for kindergarten through grade 3. These instruments will:

• Assess foundational reading and mathematics skills; and
• Meet all statutory requirements under or .

Additional information, including timelines, criteria, and submission requirements, will be posted on the Call for K–3 Literacy and Numeracy Instruments webpage and published in the in the upcoming weeks.