Social Studies Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to the TEA social studies newsletter.
Today's newsletter provides information related to the following topics:
- State Board of Education Public Comment Periods
- Social Studies TEKS Review Update
- Texas Online Course Reviewers Needed
- Texas Educators are the Key to High-Quality Assessments
At the April 2022 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization the following proposals related to social studies.
Proposed New Personal Financial Literacy and Economics TEKS
Senate Bill (SB) 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, requires that the SBOE adopt a combined personal financial literacy and economics course that will satisfy the graduation requirement in economics. The SBOE gave preliminary approval to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the proposed new course, §113.76, Personal Financial Literacy and Economics.
Proposed Amendment to Description of a Required Secondary Curriculum
This proposed amendment would update the list of high school courses for social studies and physical education that are required to be offered to students. To ensure students have the option of satisfying the economics graduation requirement with the new proposed Personal Financial Literacy and Economics course, the SBOE gave preliminary approval to add the new course to the list of social studies courses.
The official public comment period for both items is now open. To view the proposals and submit public comments, visit
http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Laws_and_Rules/SBOE_Rules_(TAC)/Proposed_State_Board_of_Education_Rules/.
Public comments are shared with SBOE members each week during the public comment period. Specific, actionable feedback submitted early in the 30-day timeframe provides SBOE members with more information and time to consider the comment. The SBOE is scheduled to consider both proposals for second reading and final adoption at its June 14-17, 2022 meeting.
Public Comment Period: May 6, 2022–June 10, 2022
Earliest Possible Date of Adoption: June 2022 SBOE meeting
SBOE Direction on K-8 Social Studies Framework
At the April 2022 meeting, the SBOE provided additional direction to its work groups regarding recommendations for revision to the kindergarten – grade 8 TEKS. For more information regarding the SBOE’s guidance regarding the K-8 TEKS revision, please visit the 2021-2022 Social Studies TEKS Review webpage.
SBOE Special Meeting
The State Board of Education (SBOE) has scheduled a special meeting on May 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to discuss the kindergarten–grade 8 framework for the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Individuals may register to provide public testimony online starting at 8:00 a.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, May 12, and continuing through 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on Friday, May 13. Individuals may register to provide public testimony in-person or virtually.
Additional information regarding registration is provided on the public testimony registration web page. The meeting can also be viewed via the live webcast.
Do you want to make a difference in the quality of courses offered through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN)? Do you want to earn a stipend and build your resume in the process? Quality Matters, Inc. (QM) conducts course reviews for the TXVSN and is looking for certified, Texas educators to join the review team. Apply to become a QM certified course reviewer today.
TEA is seeking classroom teachers, instructional coaches, campus and district content specialists, and campus administrators to serve on a variety of assessment-related committees. The involvement of Texas education professionals supports TEA in designing and building the best quality assessments. TEA is accepting applications for Texas educators to serve in a variety of ways:
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Educator passage review – each potential passage for the RLA test is reviewed and approved by a committee of Texas educators
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Educator item review – each potential question for a state test is reviewed and approved by a committee of Texas educators
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Constructed response range finding – educators are convened to set the scoring boundaries for student essays based on the rubric
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Subject-area advisory groups – groups of educators are convened to provide feedback on subject-area-specific topics
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STAAR redesign focus groups – groups of educators are convened to provide input on components of the STAAR redesign that are under consideration
To apply to participate in these committees, educators should complete the Educator Committee Application Form at https://www.txetests.com/edc/.
Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.
Social Studies Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581
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