September 2019 Committee on Instruction Item 7
Update on Ethnic Studies Innovative Courses
September 12, 2019
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss a newly approved ethnic studies innovative course, African American Studies, and consider the addition of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for a course in African American studies.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(4) and §28.002(f).
TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.
TEC, §28.002(f), authorizes local school districts to offer courses in addition to those in the required curriculum for local credit and requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to be flexible in approving a course for credit for high school graduation.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the request of the committee, development of TEKS for a new African American studies course could begin.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The 83rd Texas Legislature, 2013, passed House Bill (HB) 5, amending the TEC, §28.025, to change the high school graduation programs from the minimum, recommended, and advanced high school programs to one foundation high school program with endorsements to increase flexibility in graduation requirements for students. In August 2013, the SBOE held a work session to discuss changes to the graduation requirements in order to align with the requirements of HB 5, including discussion of courses required by HB 5. At the April 2014 meeting, the SBOE prioritized the development of new courses to align with requirements of HB 5. The list of new courses to be developed included a Mexican-America Studies course.
The SBOE adopted TEKS for an Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies course in September 2018. Additionally, in April 2018 the SBOE instructed staff to present ethnic studies courses that have been approved through the commissioner’s innovative course process for discussion and consideration for inclusion in the TEKS. The SBOE required that staff bring forward only comprehensive ethnic studies courses in Native American studies, Latino studies, African American studies, and/or Asian Pacific Islander studies—inclusive of history, government, economics, civic engagement, culture, and science and technology. The SBOE further required the chair of the Committee on Instruction, in accordance with State Board of Education Operating Rule 2.5(b), to collaborate with the board chair to place the item on the next available Committee on Instruction agenda following commissioner approval of the innovative course.
In June 2019, a new African American Studies innovative course was approved by the commissioner of education for use beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may offer any state-approved innovative course for elective credit with the approval of the local board of trustees. This item allows the SBOE to consider the addition of TEKS for African American studies in the social studies elective courses.
Staff Member Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Shelly Ramos, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support