Call for K–3 Literacy and Numeracy Instruments
Purpose
The ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ is seeking qualified publishers and local educational agencies to submit literacy and numeracy instruments for review as part of the commissioner’s approval process authorized under Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.006 and §28.0063. Instruments that are reviewed and ultimately placed on the Commissioner’s List of Approved Kindergarten Reading Readiness Instruments or the Commissioner’s List of Approved K–3 Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Instruments will be eligible for statewide use beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
For this request, TEA is soliciting submissions in the following instrument categories for kindergarten through grade 3:
Kindergarten (K) Reading Readiness Instruments: Instruments designed to measure foundational literacy skills in reading development and comprehension at the beginning of kindergarten. Only one primary instrument and two alternate instruments for kindergarten reading readiness will be selected. As a result, submissions in this category will be evaluated through a competitive application process, and only a limited number of instruments may be selected.
K–3 Foundational Literacy Instruments: Instruments designed to measure foundational literacy skills in reading development and comprehension in kindergarten through grade 3 in alignment with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). There is no cap on the number of instruments that may be approved.
K–3 Foundational Numeracy Instruments: Instruments designed to measure foundational numeracy skills in mathematics in kindergarten through grade 3 in alignment with the TEKS. There is no cap on the number of instruments that may be approved.
Timeline
The timeline below reflects the anticipated sequence of activities for the review and approval process. All dates are tentative and subject to change based on agency needs and operational considerations. TEA will provide updated timelines as necessary throughout the review cycle. Disclaimer: TEA reserves the right to adjust timelines and request additional information from publishers as needed.
| Date | Event |
| March 06, 2026 | Request for Literacy and Numeracy Instruments posted and applications available. |
| March 10, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. CST | Informational webinar held via Zoom to provide an overview of the RFLNI and its requirements. |
| March 11, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. CST | Informational webinar held via Zoom to provide an overview of the RFLNI and its requirements. |
| March 13, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. CST | Questions due to TEA to be answered in this RFLNI. Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) CST and should be submitted through the |
| March 20, 2026 | Frequently Asked Questions posted on the Call for K–3 Literacy and Numeracy Instruments webpage. |
| April 06, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. CST | Applications due. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. |
| Spring – Summer 2026 | TEA conducts preliminary review of submitted instruments. Instruments undergo academic review and comparability studies by institute of higher education. |
| Fall 2026 | TEA issues preliminary notifications of instruments selected to advance for pilot year and conducts price negotiations. |
| 2026–27 School Year | Pilot year to validate reporting, data quality, and Ed‑Fi interoperability. |
| Spring 2027 | TEA issues final notifications of commissioner approval. |
| Spring 2027 | Publication of Commissioner’s List of Approved Instruments for use in the 2027–28 through 2030–31 School Years |
| Summer 2027 | Authorization for approved instruments begins. |
| Summer 2031 | Authorization for approved instruments ends. |
Application Submissions, Support, and Questions
Application Submissions
Applicants must complete the Request for Literacy and Numeracy Instruments (RFLNI) Response Form, which collects both organizational information and instrument-specific details for each instrument submitted for review. Applicants should carefully review the entire RFLNI before beginning their submission.
All application materials, including the RFLNI Response Form and all supporting documentation, must be submitted electronically through the ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ by TEA. Submissions received through any other method will not be reviewed.
The deadline for submission is April 06, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. No late submissions will be accepted.
Informational Sessions
TEA will provide application support to prospective applicants through two live informational webinars. These webinars will offer an overview of the RFLNI, including submission requirements, timelines, and key statutory and technical expectations. Attendance is open to all interested publishers and organizations.
Live webinars will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. CST
Registration: - Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. CST
Registration:
Submissions of Questions and Posting of Answers
To ensure equitable access to information, all questions related to this RFLNI were required to be submitted in writing through the online survey. The deadline for submitting questions was 12:00 p.m. (noon) CST on March 13, 2026, and the survey is now closed.
TEA has consolidated all questions received by the deadline and published written responses in the RFLNI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document.
Documents
Magali Farooqi
Program Manager, Early Childhood Assessments
magali.farooqi@tea.texas.gov