Science TEKS Streamlining

Background 

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. In January 2016, the SBOE approved a process that will be used to streamline the science TEKS. SBOE members will nominate educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers to serve on the TEKS streamlining committees. This page provides information regarding the streamlining of the science TEKS.

Streamlined Science TEKS Adopted by State Board of Education 

The State Board of Education (SBOE) gave final approval on April 21, 2017, to the streamlined science TEKS for K-8 science and four high school science courses. The streamlined TEKS became effective on August 27, 2018 and were implemented in classrooms beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

The streamlined K-12 TEKS are available on the TEA rules page with "Adopted 2017" in the title.

19 TAC Chapter 112. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Amendments to be Considered at Second Reading

Amendments to be considered by the SBOE on Friday, April 21, 2017, for second reading and final adoption of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 112, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science, are available here.

Official Public Comment Period for Proposed Amendments (February 2017)

At the January/February 2017 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization proposed amendments to the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Kindergarten – Grade 8 and certain high school courses. The proposed amendments would streamline the science TEKS with a recommended implementation date of the 2017-2018 school year. The SBOE is scheduled to consider the proposed amendments for second reading and final adoption at its April 2017 meeting.

Committee Final Recommendations for Science TEKS Streamlining (January 2017)

The following documents reflect the science TEKS streamlining committees' final draft recommendations. These recommendations will be presented to the SBOE for first reading and filing authorization at the January/February 2017 SBOE meeting. Click on each item below to download a PDF. Use the bookmarks on the left-hand side of the document to navigate to a specific grade level or course.

Science, Kindergarten - Grade 2 (PDF, 1,317 KB)
Science, Grades 3 – 5 (PDF, 1,605 KB)
Science, Grades 6 – 8 (PDF, 867 KB)
Science, High School (PDF, 1,317 KB)

Comments identified on the left-hand side link to explanations for the proposed changes. To view a comment, click on the number of the comment or scroll to the end of the grade level or course.  

Draft Recommendations for Science TEKS Streamlining

The draft recommendations below were developed by the science TEKS streamlining committees appointed by members of the SBOE. Click on each item below to download a PDF. Use the bookmarks on the left-hand side of the document to navigate to a specific grade level or course:

First Drafts of Recommendations (September 2016)

Kindergarten – Grade 2 (PDF, 1,202KB)   
Grade 3 – Grade 5 (PDF, 1,623KB)
Grade 6 – Grade 8 (PDF, 1,561KB)
High School Courses (PDF, 898KB)    

Science TEKS Streamlining Committees

The following list includes individuals appointed by the SBOE to serve on the Kindergarten-Grade 12 science TEKS streamlining committees. Science TEKS streamlining committees began work in summer 2016.

SBOE science TEKS streamlining committees (PDF, 361KB)