SBOE gives final approval to Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies course

The State Board of Education on Sept. 14 gave final approval to a new course called Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies. It is the first ethnic studies course approved by the Texas board and is believed to be the first Mexican American Studies course approved by any State Board of Education.

The course will be available for use in Texas public schools in the 2019-2020 school year.  The one-credit elective course is based largely on a local course created by the Houston Independent School District.

The curriculum standards, as preliminarily approved in June, are available at https://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=51539623094. Additional amendments added during the board’s September meeting can be found at https://bit.ly/2CUQv1Q.