SBOE June Update

 
 
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SBOE works to streamline social studies TEKS

Efforts to streamline the state’s lengthy Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten through high school are under way.

Educator work groups have been working for months to delete, combine, clarify and narrow the scope of the standards as part of the streamlining process. The one thing they are not doing is proposing the addition of new curriculum standards.

Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies course wins initial approval

A new social studies course now called Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies won unanimous preliminary approval from the State Board of Education on June 15.

 A second and final vote on the curriculum standards for this course will occur at the board’s Sept. 11-14 meeting. If approved as is expected, this one-credit elective course will then become the first SBOE-approved ethnic studies course in Texas and one of the few available at the high school level in the country.

LULAC and Donna Bahorich
Perez-Diaz pc: LULAC

 

The Texas League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) recently presented State Board of Education member Marisa Perez-Diaz, left, and board Chair Donna Bahorich, above, with the 2018 Director’s Leadership Award for their efforts to create a Mexican American Studies course. Both board members spoke at the summer LULAC convention. State LULAC Director Lupe Torres presented the award to Perez-Diaz at the convention in San Antonio and to Bahorich at the June SBOE board meeting.

Photo credit: TEA and LULAC

Four charter applicants authorized to open schools

Twenty-one applicants applied for a state charter this year but only four survived the rigorous process and were authorized to open new charter schools in the 2019-2020 school year. The new schools will be located in Lubbock, San Antonio and two in Houston.

SBOE hosts art contest to brand the fund

Brand the Fund image

A student art contest, sponsored by the State Board of Education, will help brand a Texas treasure, the $33.8 billion Permanent School Fund. In an effort to raise the profile of the fund, the board is asking high school students to design a logo or seal for this education endowment fund. The student who designs the winning logo will receive a $3,000 cash award and the runner-up will receive $1,000.

Charitable students recognized as Student Heroes

DJ Sanders and Keven Ellis

Though this is a time when the world’s attention is appropriately focused on ways to stop random acts of violence against schoolchildren, the State Board of Education focused its attention this spring on honoring 15 public school students who have demonstrated inspiring acts of kindness and compassion. From hosting toy drives for hospitalized children to providing blankets to those in need, these students showed they had hearts as big as Texas. It’s no wonder that they were selected to receive the board’s Student Hero Award.

Board action summary available

A summary of actions taken by the State Board of Education at its June meeting is available online.

Milken Educator Award winners honored

Milken winners and SBOE chair
Katie Negen, SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich, and Jennifer Fuller

The State Board of Education recently recognized two Texas teachers who received the Milken Educator Award. Called the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher magazine, the award recognizes outstanding teachers who are early to mid-career educators. This year’s recipients are Katie Negen of the Slaton Independent School District and Jennifer Fuller of Arlington ISD. Both are following in their mothers’ footsteps. Along with the public recognition, each award winner receives a $25,000 cash prize. Texas has participated in this program sponsored by the Milken Family Foundation since 2000.

SBOE honors Blue Ribbon Schools

Banquete officials and SBOE member Ruben Cortez
SBOE member Ruben Cortez Jr., center, congratulates Banquete ISD officials

The State Board of Education commended the 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools by passing a resolution in their honor in June.

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