State Board of Education approves K-12 literary lists, K-8 social studies TEKS changes

The State Board of Education gave final approval to a list of required literary works for each grade level during its June 26 meeting on a 9-4 vote along party lines, with two members not present. 

Later in the day, the Board also approved revisions to social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in grades K-8, with separate votes for each grade level, but postponed changes to four high school courses until a future meeting. 

Public testimony

Both topics generated an outpouring of public interest at each of the board’s meetings in the past year, and this week’s meeting was no different. On June 22, over 400 people registered to testify and the sun had set before all of them had an opportunity to speak. 

Many of the opinions expressed mirrored those from previous meetings: for the reading lists, people are concerned about the length of the list for each grade level and the inclusion of Bible passages. For the social studies curriculum, history teachers and professors testified that the standards painted a murky picture of history and would not serve to enhance students’ understanding of Texas’ place in the world. 

A handful of state representatives and a state senator were present at Monday's meeting to testify in support of the social studies changes: Reps. Alan Schoolcraft (R-McQueeney), Carrie Isaac (R-Wimberley), and Hillary Hickland (R-Belton); and Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood). Each of them encouraged board members to “hold the line” against attempts to change the social studies standards into anything other than a Texas- and United States-focused curriculum.

Final edits

After public testimony concluded, board members began their deliberations on changes to the reading lists and the social studies standards.

Compared to the initial draft proposed by TEA, the reading lists have been reduced by around 60%. While Bible passages have remained, members shaved a few more titles at this week’s meeting due to concerns about print access and TEKS alignment. 

The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) conducted a study with teachers in each grade level to get a clearer idea of how long it would take to effectively teach the works on the reading lists. These findings seemed to resonate with some of the board members and convinced them to recommend removing more titles.

After debating the contents of the list, Board members debated the rules surrounding their implementation. Member Tom Maynard (R-Florence) proposed rules that would require teachers to include locally selected required literary works with the materials to be posted online for parent access, including materials self-selected by students. Another member said this would add to the “bureaucratic morass” teachers already face and the amendment was narrowly defeated.

Edits to the social studies curriculum consumed a vast majority of the board’s time during the week. Meetings went past 2 a.m. on multiple occasions as they debated the details of individual social studies student expectations. At times, the debate on a single expectation took more than an hour. 

The lengthy discussions prompted the Board to vote to table final passage of revised social studies TEKS for four high school courses: U.S. history, world history, geography and U.S. government.

Click here to view the list of required literary works for each grade level.

Disciplinary rules

New rules surrounding how and when teacher misconduct is reported and the temporary suspension of teachers reported for certain things also came before the board for final approval this week. These rules were debated in detail at the State Board for Educator Certification, but they must receive final approval at SBOE to go into effect. The rules are expected to be approved by the State Board of Education on June 26.

What's ahead

With final approval on June 26, the K-12 literary lists take effect during the 2030-31 school year. The Board voted Friday to phase in the changes over multiple years rather than introduce them at once. (See the timeline here.)

Texas parents can opt their children out of any instruction, but state education officials acknowledged earlier this year that those students could still be tested on it.

As with any change to the standards, teachers must make sense of what changed and develop a new curriculum around it. Dozens of required literary works may require veteran teachers to discard their favorite lessons with their chosen works to make room for new state requirements. 

In social studies, the new requirements, which also will be phased in starting in 2030-31, there may not be sufficient time for teachers to share their passion for certain corners of history because so much else has been included. 

Since the board tabled the final vote on curriculum changes on the high school social studies courses, a special meeting is likely expected before the Board's next regular meeting in September. TCTA will provide information as they are scheduled.

The November election is set to bring change to the Board as six members are either not seeking reelection or were defeated in their primaries. You can see who's running here.