Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023

Date:  August 19, 2021          
Subject: Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023
Category: Information for School Years 2021-22 and 2022-23
Next Steps:  Share with appropriate budget staff and instructional materials coordinators

 

The 2022‒2023 instructional materials and technology allotment allocations for each district and open-enrollment charter school (local educational agency or LEA) will be available on the instructional materials website and are expected to be populated in EMAT, the state’s online ordering system, August 20, 2021. 

Although the amounts will soon appear in EMAT, the actual funds will not be available until after September 1, 2021. Until that time, LEAs may use unexpended funds (carry-over funds) for allotment expenditures, including newly adopted instructional materials, continuing contracts, technological equipment, and technology services. If carry-over funds are not available, LEAs may order materials through requisitions for up to 80% of their 2022‒2023 allotment funds through the delayed-payment option. Publishers that have agreed to receive delayed payments are identified in EMAT. Please share this information with all those responsible for fiscal accountability in your LEA.

The amounts in EMAT must serve LEAs for two full school years. LEA personnel responsible for making instructional materials and educational technology purchasing decisions will want to carefully plan the two years’ spending to ensure that funds are available when they are needed. Funds not used during a biennium carry over to the next.

You will notice that the 2022–2023 allotment is lower than it has been in previous years. The legislature reduced the allotment to more closely match the projected costs of Proclamation 2021 and Proclamation 2022 instructional materials for prekindergarten systems, health, and physical education; however, they did indicate their intention to increase future allotments to more closely align with previous allocations. In addition to the allotment, the legislature appropriated additional funds through House Bill (HB) 1525 and HB 4545, 87th Texas Legislature, to support accelerated learning, academic supports, and accelerated learning policy. Adopted instructional materials for the visually impaired (braille, large-print, and audio) are the property of the state and are not paid for out of an LEA's allotment. They can be requested through EMAT and must be returned to the redistribution center when they are no longer in use. LEAs that choose to purchase non-adopted instructional materials should remember that, should Braille, large-print, or audio versions be required by a student’s individualized education plan or Section 504 plan, the LEA is required to provide those versions using allotment or local funds.

If you have any questions, please contact the Instructional Materials Division by submitting an Instructional Materials Help Desk ticket.