Texas’ State Board of Education (SBOE) is coming closer to finalizing a draft of new social studies and reading requirements.
The preliminary draft passed Friday by the SBOE is part of a review of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, or TEKs. The final version is expected to be voted on in June.
There have been hours of debate where the public was allowed to offer input, may of whom were not happy and said the classrooms were for education, not indoctrination as well as saying the draft was not chronologically coherent or written with real classrooms and teachers in mind. Others were concerned about the social studies requirements which puts greater emphasis on Texas and U.S. history as well adding Bible passages to the reading curriculum.
Others were pleased that TEKSs is basing education on American and civic virtue and making sure there’s an equal opportunity for students to learn about Christian heritage as well as history and calling for more lessons about the Lone Star State.
According to the state, the last time a review happened for social studies was in 2018. It was adopted for the 2020-2021 school year.
Once the final draft is approved, it will be integrated into social studies and required readings in Texas public school classrooms with changes expected by the 2030 school year.