Overview
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is an elected body responsible for setting policies and curriculum standards for Texas public schools.
The board recommends textbooks to be used in schools and oversees the state Permanent School Fund. Other responsibilities include:
- establishing graduation requirements;
- appointing board members to military reservation and special school districts;
- providing final review of rules proposed by the State Board for Educator Certification;
- reviews new charter applications for charter schools, and approves or vetoes the education commissioner’s decisions to award new charters.
The State Board of Education works closely with the Texas Education Agency, which supports it administratively.
Board Members
The Texas State Board of Education board is composed of 15 elected members representing each of the state’s 15 education districts.
Ten of the current members are Republicans, and five are Democrats.
View a list of members.
| District | Name | Party | First Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gustavo Reveles | Dem | 2024 |
| 2 | L.J. Francis | Rep | 2022 |
| 3 | Marisa Perez-Diaz | Dem | 2024 |
| 4 | Staci Childs | Dem | 2024 |
| 5 | Rebecca Bell-Metereau | Dem | 2020 |
| 6 | Will Hickman | Rep | 2020 |
| 7 | Julie Pickren | Rep | 2022 |
| 8 | Audrey Young | Rep | 2020 |
| 9 | Keven Ellis | Rep | 2016 |
| 10 | Tom Maynard | Rep | 2012 |
| 11 | Brandon Hall | Rep | 2024 |
| 12 | Pam Little | Rep | 2018 |
| 13 | Tiffany Clark | Dem | 2024 |
| 14 | Evelyn Brooks | Rep | 2022 |
| 15 | Aaron Kinsey | Rep | 2022 |
Term of Office
Members serve four-year terms except after redistricting, when seven of the 15 members randomly are chosen to serve two-year terms.
Education district borders are redrawn every 10 years.
This system ensures a system of staggered terms in which about half of the board’s seats are up for election every two years, except after redistricting when all the seats are contested.
Board Chair
Every two years, the governor selects a chair from among the board’s members, with approval from the Texas Senate. If a board member serves two consecutive two-year terms as chair, he or she is not eligible to be named to the position again until four years have passed.
The board also elects a vice chair and secretary from among its members.
Qualifications
Candidates for State Board of Education must meet the following qualifications:
- may not hold other public office;
- registered to vote in the district where they are seeking office;
- resident in the district for at least one year as of Election Day;
- at least 26 years of age;
- not be a registered lobbyists representing interests relevant to the board.
Meetings Schedule
The Texas State Board of Education is required by law to meet at least quarterly.
It holds its meetings at the William B. Travis State Office Building, which houses the Texas Education Agency, at 1701 N. Congress Avenue in Austin.
The meetings are open to the public and webcasts are available online.
FAQ
SBOE members are elected by Texas voters in 15 districts across the state. Each member serves a 4-year term.
The SBOE typically meets four times a year. Special meetings may be called as needed.
Meetings are open to the public. You can attend in person, watch live streams online, or submit written comments before the meeting.
Yes, the SBOE has the authority to approve or reject textbooks and make decisions about the state’s curriculum standards. They review textbooks and instructional materials to ensure they align with TEKS.
While the Texas Legislature controls the overall education budget, the SBOE helps allocate funds from the Permanent School Fund, and oversees its investments managers.
Yes, the SBOE can modify graduation requirements, such as the number of credits needed or the types of courses students must complete. These changes are usually based on educational trends and legislative guidance.
Textbooks must go through a review process before being adopted by the SBOE. Publishers submit their materials, which are reviewed for alignment with TEKS, and the public can provide feedback before the board makes a decision.
