» Current Draft of TEKS: Second Draft (October 17, 2009): Click Here

    » Latest Developments: SBOE released second draft of the TEKS (November 6, 2009)

    » Next Step: SBOE will discuss the proposed changes on November 18, 2009

 

    » Second Draft (October 17, 2009): Click Here

    » First Draft (July 31, 2009): K-5 | 6-8 | US | World | Others | Historical Figures by Grade Level [scroll down]

    » Current TEKS (adopted 1998): Social Studies | Economics

Observations

This space features observations made by the public and is intended draw attention to specific places in the TEKS that merit public attention. Tell us about your observations.

 

From the State Board of Education (SBOE)

• Information regarding the social studies TEKS review
• TEKS Review Process (revised 5/2009)
• TEKS Timelines

How Things Are Unfolding

Past Events

• January-February 2009: Subject review committees appointed by the SBOE began reviewing the social studies TEKS [View a list of committee members by subject for grades K-8 or 9-12]
• January 2009: Texas Council for the Social Studies published Proposed Changes to the TEKS [Scroll down to "TCSS/TSSSA TEKS Refinement Suggestions"]
• April 2009: SBOE called for six expert reviewers
• July 2009: Expert reviewers submitted their Reviews of Current Social Studies TEKS, Subject review committees reconvened to consider suggestions from expert reviewers
• July 31, 2009: First draft of recommendations for revisions to the social studies TEKS posted: K-5 | 6-8 | US since 1877 | World | Others
• September 10, 2009: Expert reviewers have reviewed the first draft of the TEKS
• September 16-17, 2009: SBOE invited comments from expert reviews on the draft TEKS [audio files now archived here]
• October 9, 2009: Subject review committees met to evaluate and integrate recommendations
• NEW November 6, 2009: SBOE released Second Draft (dated October 17, 2009) of the TEKS

Scheduled Events

• January 2010: SBOE will hold public adoption hearings
• February 2010: Proposed revised TEKS to be posted online for official public comment
• March 2010: SBOE to make final decision regarding new TEKS
• Fall 2011: new TEKS to be implemented in public schools
• Fall 2012: SBOE will adopt new textbooks
• Fall 2013: new textbooks will be used in schools

Tell us about another news story

The Revision Process

Gary Scharrer, "Texas Set to Update 1997 Social Studies Curriculum," San Antonio Express-News, July 12, 2009

Stephanie Simon, "The Culture Wars' New Front: U.S. History Classes in Texas," Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2009

Linda P. Campbell, "Texas State Board of Education Wrestles with Textbook Standards," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 15, 2009

Kate Alexander, "Social Studies will be Next Battle for State Board of Education: Controversy Looms in Board's Decisions about History, Government and Culture," Austin American-Statesman, July 16, 2009

Chris McGreal, "Christian Right Aims to Change History Lessons in Texas Schools," The Guardian (UK), July 22, 2009

Kate Alexander, "Social Studies Standards Strike Compromise: Most Controversial Expert Recommendations Left Out of Draft Standards," Austin American-Statesman, August 7, 2009

Mary Ann Zehr, "Texas Braces for Debate on U.S. History Standards," Education Week 29, no. 1 (August 17, 2009)

Justin Elliot, "Could Texas' Gingrich-Based High School History Curriculum Go National?" Talking Points Memo, September 4, 2009

Justin Elliot, "'Expert' Barton Brings Religio-Historical Road Show To TX Board Of Ed Hearing," Talking Points Memo, September 17, 2009

Kate Alexander, "Flap Over Social Studies Heats Up Again: Some Historians Worry that Religion Being Given Undue Role," Austin American-Statesman, September 17, 2009

Editors, "So Far, State Education Board is Finding Sweet Spot on Standards," Dallas Morning News, September 30, 2009

Sue Blanchette, "Keep Politics Out of Social Studies Standards," Dallas Morning News, October 8, 2009

Shirley Jinkins, "Texas Education Panel Deciding Who's in and Who's out for Social Studies Textbooks," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 15, 2009

NEW Ken Camp, "Texas Textbook Battles have National Significance, Scholar Says," Associated Baptist Press, November 12, 2009

 

Religion and the Founding Fathers

Gary Scharrer, "What did Founding Fathers Believe? Finding a Consensus will be Tricky for those developing New State Curriculum," Houston Chronicle, September 28, 2009

Charles C. Haynes, "Revising History: What Happens in Texas Won't Stay in Texas," eNews Park Forest, October 3, 2009

NEW Terrence Stutz, "3 Education Board Members Take Issue with Social Studies Proposal," Dallas Morning News, October 16, 2009

 

Christmas

Kate Alexander, "No 'war on Christmas' in Social Studies Curriculum," Austin American-Statesman, September 11, 2009

April Castro, "Conservatives see Texas Social Studies Proposal as 'War' on Christianity," Associated Press, September 11, 2009

Gary Scharrer, "Board Decides to Keep Christmas in Textbooks," Houston Chronicle, September 18, 2009

Terrence Stutz, "Texas Board Revises History Books," Dallas Morning News, September 18, 2009

Mary Ann Zehr, "Texas School Board Backs More Inclusion in Social Studies Draft," September 29, 2009

 

César Chávez

Terrence Stutz, "Conservatives say Texas Social Studies Classes give too much Credit to Civil Rights Leaders," Dallas Morning News, July 9, 2009

Bryan Rupp, "State Board of Education Wants to Strip Cesar Chavez from School Books," News KBMT [Beaumont, TX], July 16, 2009

Miriam Pawel, "The Study of History Demands Nuanced Thinking," Austin American-Statesman, July 17, 2009

"Education 'experts' slam César Chavez," San Angelo Standard-Times, July 18, 2009

Zahira Torres, "Our Schools: Suggested Change to Curriculum under Fire," El Paso Times, August 5, 2009

Kate Alexander, "Social Studies Standards Strike Compromise: Most Controversial Expert Recommendations Left Out of Draft Standards," Austin American-Statesman, August 7, 2009

April Castro, "Must-Know Figures Could Change for Texas," Associated Press, September 16, 2009

April Castro, "Texas Activists: Chavez, Marshall Must be Taught," Associated Press, September 17, 2009

Zahira Torres, "State Board to Keep Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall in its Curriculum," El Paso Times, September 18, 2009

 

The Previous Time Texas Updated Curriculum

Alexander Stille, "Textbook Publishers Learn: Avoid Messing With Texas," New York Times, June 29, 2002

Chris Patterson, "In Texas It's Social Studies that's the Enemy of Good Textbooks," Texas Public Policy Foundation, August 26, 2002