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November 2024

February 2025

Social Studies

Curriculum Standards and Student Support

Social Studies Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to the TEA social studies newsletter.  

This issue of the TEA social studies newsletter provides information on the following topics:

• 2025-2027 Interactive Online Learning Grant, Cycle 2 Application Is Due on February 5, 2025
• Educators Survey for Statewide Required Literary Works List
• Black History Month: February 2025
• February Social Studies Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
  • Topic: TEA Social Studies Update
  • Dates: February 10 and 11
• IMRA 2025 Reviewers Needed

2025-2027 Interactive Online Learning Grant, Cycle 2 Application Is Due on February 5, 2025

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing a competitive grant opportunity to award funding to support the implementation of an effective cross-curricular interactive online learning model(s) in middle school and/or high school for instruction in English language arts and U.S. history and/or Texas history. All school districts and open enrollment charter schools are eligible to apply for funding to support the implementation of an interactive online learning model(s) in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The 2025-2027 Interactive Online Learning Grant, Cycle 2 application is available on the TEA Grants Opportunities web page.

Key Dates

Educators Survey for Statewide Required Literary Works List

In response to House Bill (HB) 1605, passed during the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, the State Board of Education (SBOE) is required to adopt an addition to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for K-12 Reading Language Arts (RLA) to specify a literary works list for each grade level. The required literary works list addition to the TEKS will support coherence across high-quality instructional materials. high expectations for rigorous instruction, and access to essential background knowledge and vocabulary. In advance of the SBOE's consideration of this topic, the agency is conducting research for possible recommendations.

If you are currently a K-12 educator in Texas, you are invited to complete the Literary Works Survey.

As you complete the survey it will be important to consider literary works in the classroom as a broad range of literature types such as poems, folktales, short stories, plays, novels, or primary source documents that are used as part of direct instruction of TEKS based content. Your input will assist in better understanding both the quantity and types of literature used in classrooms across Texas today.  

The Literary Works Survey will remain open until Monday, February 17, 2025. It will only require about 15 minutes of time to complete. Survey responses are anonymous.

If you have questions about the literary works list addition to the TEKS required by HB1605 please contact the TEA Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division: teks@tea.texas.gov ;  (512) 463-9581. If you have questions about accessing and completing the survey, please refer your questions to tealiteracylistssupport@tntp.org.

Thank you for your valuable input in supporting Texas students’ instruction and learning. 

Black History Month: February 2025

Each year, during February, we celebrate the history and cultural contributions of Black Americans in the United States. Students learn about the achievements, perspectives, struggles, and experiences of Black Americans throughout more than 400 years of American history. The TEA web page for Black History Month provides a variety of resources that can be used to honor Black History Month. 

February Social Studies Stakeholder Engagement Sessions 

Topic: TEA Social Studies Update

Target Audience: Social Studies Stakeholders

Session Description: The TEA social studies team will provide updates on various social studies topics, such as SBOE updates regarding social studies, the tentative timeline for the social studies TEKS review and revision, and Black History month. 

Date and Times:

Monday, February 10, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. February 10 Registration Link

Tuesday, February 11, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. February 11 Registration Link

IMRA 2025 Reviewers Needed

The Texas Education Agency is seeking Texas educators and subject-matter experts to apply as instructional materials reviewers for the new Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) review processes. For those who would like to get involved but do not have content expertise, TEA is also looking for suitability reviewers.

As part of these selective groups, IMRA reviewers make a significant impact on Texas public education while working with a collaborative group of dedicated educators from across the state. IMRA reviewers earn a competitive stipend and, for educators, continuing professional education (CPE) credits for their contributions to this statewide initiative.

Please review the IMRA reviewer job description and complete the initial application today. Applications will be reviewed and advanced on a rolling basis until February 24, 2025. Office hours for the IMRA 2025 will be held on Mondays from 5:00-5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. through February 20 and will provide an overview of the work and answer questions you may have. (Note: The session for February 17 will be held on February 18 due to the Presidents’ Day holiday.)

For questions or concerns regarding the IMRA application or application process, please submit an IMRA Reviewer Help Desk Ticket.  Please visit our website for updates.

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

For questions or additional information, please visit the Social Studies web page or submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.

The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.