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Thank you for subscribing to the TEA science newsletter. Today's newsletter provides information related to:
- New! TEKS Guide for Science
- TEKS in Focus
- New Resource: Recurring Themes and Concepts Question Prompts
- Assessment Update
- Engagement Opportunities
New! TEKS Guide for Science
The Texas Education Agency is excited to announce the release of the science addition to the TEKS Guide. Districts will implement the new Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in the 2024–2025 school year. The Science TEKS Guide provides science educators across the state with a common understanding of the new science standards, including connections between recurring themes and concepts and science content standards. The TEA science team will provide summer webinars and office hours to support educators in navigating the TEKS Guide and using the components effectively.
Upcoming Webinars:
 TEKS in Focus highlights key concepts and student expectations to assist educators in implementing the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). A clear understanding of the changes taking place in science TEKS for the 2024 school year can directly impact student success. TEKS in Focus will highlight changes from elementary to high school along a vertical continuum for specific key concepts.
The key concepts of physical and chemical changes have undergone a few important changes. In elementary school, changes from heating and cooling moved from grade 2 to grade 1. In middle school, the study of chemical formulas moved to grade 7, and atomic structure and atomic properties moved from grade 8 to Chemistry. In Chemistry, specificity was added, and student expectations were separated for distinction. Download the full TEKS in Focus, May edition for a complete view of the vertical changes within the study of physical and chemical changes.
 Thumbnail images of TEKS in Focus
New Resource: Recurring Themes and Concepts Question Prompts
The Texas Education Agency proudly announces a new resource, Recurring Themes and Concepts Question Prompts, to help support implementation of the new K-8 science TEKS. Recurring themes and concepts provide structure to connect scientific ideas across disciplines. This resource provides questions to drive intentional conversations among students, making deep connections between content and recurring themes and concepts. Fcheck out the TEA Brief–Recurring Themes and Concepts. For more ideas on using recurring themes and concepts in conjunction with content TEKS, see the alignments tab in the Science TEKS Guide.
 Thumbnail images of Recurring Themes and Concepts Question Prompt printables.
Assessment Update
Contact the Assessment Help Desk for questions concerning assessments.
As the new science TEKS are implemented into instruction in the 2024-2025 school year, the science STAAR assessments will include the standards on the assessed curriculum documents that overlap between the old and new TEKS. These documents, in addition to the blueprints, are labeled as “2024-2025 Transition Year” and are available on the assessment Science Resources page of the TEA website. A second version created in collaboration with the Texas Science Education Leadership Association (TSELA) is available on the Texas Assessment website. The new Science Assessed Curriculum and blueprints for Spring 2026 and forward are expected to be published on the TEA website in August 2024.
Engagement Opportunities
We value our partners in the field and want to stay connected! Whether through site visits, review opportunities, or focus groups, we offer various ways for you to connect with TEA and contribute to the field of education. If you are interested in participating in engagement opportunities, fill out our interest form!
Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.
Science Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
Curriculum Help Desk
(512) 463-9581
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