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Thank you for subscribing to the TEA social studies newsletter.
This issue of the TEA social studies newsletter provides information on the following topics:
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June Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
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Topic: Best Practices for Social Studies Instruction- Guest Speakers Panel
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Dates: June 11 and 12
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July Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
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Topic: K–5 Cross-Curricular Connections for Social Studies and Reading Language Arts and Reading
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Dates: July 15, 16, and 17
- Social Studies Timely Topic: Social Studies Curriculum Requirements
- Instructional Materials Update: Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
- The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Social Studies Course Needs
- Celebrating 250 Years: Honoring America's Semiquincentennial
June Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: Best Practices for Social Studies Instruction- Guest Speakers Panel
Target Audience: Social Studies, Reading Language Arts, Stakeholders - Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations
Session Description: The TEA social studies curriculum team will host two panelists from Texas school systems to share best practices for social studies instruction. The panelists will share insights on the connections between social studies and reading language arts, examining assessments and data related to the crossover between social studies and reading language arts in TELPAS and STAAR. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to participate in questions and discussion with members of the panel and the TEA social studies curriculum team.
Date and Times:
Session 1: June 11, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. June 11 registration link
Session 2: June 12, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. June 12 registration link
The information shared will be the same in each meeting.
July Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: K–5 Cross-Curricular Connections for Social Studies and Reading Language Arts and Reading
Target Audience: Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Stakeholders - Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations
Session Description: The TEA social studies and reading language arts curriculum team will share the K-5 Cross-Curricular Connections Tool for Social Studies and English Language Arts and Reading. The team will explain the different parts of this tool and share how this tool supports cross-curricular instructional planning. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to participate in questions and discussion with members of the TEA social studies and reading language arts curriculum team.
Date and Times:
Tuesday, July 15, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. July 15 registration link
Wednesday, July 16, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. July 16 registration link
Thursday, July 17, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. July 17 registration link
The information shared will be the same in each meeting.
Social Studies Timely Topic: Social Studies Curriculum Requirements
To support Texas social studies educators and stakeholders, the social studies newsletter often highlights a timely social studies topic. This edition’s timely topic focuses on the required secondary social studies course offerings, social studies graduation requirements, and request for reduction in curriculum offerings.
Required Secondary Social Studies Course Offerings
State Board of Education (SBOE) rules in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.3, Description of a Required Secondary Curriculum, require local school systems to offer and maintain evidence that students have the opportunity to take each of the following courses:
- World Geography Studies
- World History Studies
- United States History Studies Since 1877
- United States Government
- Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits
- Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
- Personal Financial Literacy (an elective course not meeting social studies graduation requirements)
Social Studies Graduation Requirements
As specified in 19 TAC §74.12, a student must earn 3 credits in social studies: one credit for United States History Studies Since 1877, one credit for either World History Studies or World Geography Studies, one-half credit for United States Government, and one-half credit for either Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits or Personal Financial Literacy and Economics.
Request for Reduction in Required Curriculum
Students may successfully complete either of the following courses to satisfy the half-credit economics requirement for high school graduation:
- Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits
- Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
The requirement to offer both courses that satisfy the half-credit economics requirement for graduation may be reduced to one by the commissioner of education upon application of a school district with a total high school enrollment of less than 500 students.
Districts should complete the Request for Reduction in Required Curriculum Course Offerings form and return the form to the Curriculum Help Desk.
Instructional Materials Update: Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
The Substitutions and Content Updates webpage has been updated with a request from Decker & Associates to update content in their adopted Social Studies, Personal Financial Literacy & Economics for Real Life material.
The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed content changes. Please submit an Instructional Materials help desk ticket if you need assistance.
The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Social Studies Course Needs
Need help meeting a student’s social studies course needs?
The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ needs through TEA-approved online courses. The TXVSN statewide course catalog provides eighteen unique social studies courses to help students meet their learning goals and graduation requirements.
The TXVSN courses are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and taught by Texas-certified teachers trained in best practices in online instruction. Schools can use the TXVSN courses to create flexibility in a student’s schedule, allow a student to accelerate their learning, or address local teacher shortages. Students enrolled in a TXVSN course can generate funding regardless of whether the student is physically present at school while participating in the course. For more information about the courses offered through the TXVSN, please visit the TXVSN website or contact the TXVSN Help Desk.
Celebrating 250 Years: Honoring America's Semiquincentennial
In 2026, the United States will celebrate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Over the next year, the TEA Social Studies Newsletter will honor America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting events from 250 years ago. This month, we highlight two pivotal events that occurred on the same day in 1775.
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met for the first time. This body went on to establish the Continental Army with George Washington as Commander-in-Chief and to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Also on May 10, 1775, in a surprise attack, Ethan Allen, his Green Mountain Boys, and Benedict Arnold seized Fort Ticonderoga from the British. The British cannon captured here were painstakingly transported to Boston where George Washington used them to force the British to evacuate Boston in March 1776.
The websites The White House: This is the Story of America, America250, and Texas America250 provide information, commemorative activities, and opportunities to participate in the celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.
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.
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