Social Studies TEKS

The State Board of Education (SBOE) has legislative authority to adopt the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for each subject of the required curriculum. SBOE members nominate educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers to serve on the review committees. This page provides information and historical documents regarding the review and revision of the social studies TEKS adopted in 2010.

TEKS for Social Studies, Adopted 2010

The revised social studies TEKS adopted by the SBOE are available on the TEA rules page and include "Beginning with School Year 2011-2012" in the title (Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part II Chapter 113. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies).

Proposals Approved for Second Reading and Final Adoption in May 2010

The following documents reflect proposed revisions to the social studies TEKS as approved by the SBOE on May 21, 2010, for second reading and final adoption, with technical edits, as authorized by SBOE operating rules. These documents have not yet been filed with the Texas Register and will be subject to review for non-substantive, technical edits by Texas Register editors:  

 Kindergarten – Grade 5 (color-coded)

 Grade 6 - Grade 8 (color-coded)

 High School (color-coded) 

The following documents show the historical figures that are included in the proposed revisions to the social studies TEKS:

Alphabetized list of all names following “including” with grade level or course designation
Alphabetized list of all names following “such as” with grade level or course designation

The SBOE Approved the Social Studies and Economics TEKS for Final Adoption on May 21, 2010

The following are next steps after SBOE approval for final adoption:

  1. The Curriculum staff finalize minutes: June 4, 2010 
  2. The Curriculum staff complete summary of public comments and responses: June 18, 2010
  3. The draft of social studies TEKS with all amendments incorporated is posted to TEA website: June 25, 2010
  4. The Policy Coordination staff complete final Texas Register adopted filing: July 19, 2010
  5. The Standards and Programs department staff proof final rule text: July 28, 2010
  6. Legal counsel provides certification of final Texas Register adopted filing: August 2, 2010
  7. Policy Coordination staff file final Texas Register adopted filing: August 3, 2010
  8. The effective date of revised social studies and economics TEKS: August 23, 2010
  9. Professional development on the new standards: Spring –Summer 2011
  10. The implementation of new TEKS: 2011-2012 school year   

Social Studies Expert Reviewers

The following individuals served as expert reviewers for social studies:

David Barton, President, WallBuilders 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Jesus Francisco de la Teja, Professor and Chair, Department of History, Texas State University 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Daniel L. Dreisbach, Professor, American University 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Lybeth Hodges, Professor, History, Texas Woman's University 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Jim Kracht, Associate Dean and Professor, College of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Peter Marshall, President, Peter Marshall Ministries 
Review of Current Social Studies TEKS 
Review of First Draft Social Studies TEKS

Contact Information

Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
teks@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581