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English Language Arts and Reading

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This English language arts and reading web page provides clarification, guidance, and support to English language arts and reading stakeholders, including districts, schools, parents, educators, and students, for the development and implementation of the K–12 English language arts and reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Announcements

October Stakeholder Engagement Sessions

Topic: Reading Language Arts Beginning-of-the-Year Frequently Asked Questions

Target Audience: Reading Language Arts Stakeholders: Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations

Session Description: The TEA reading language arts team in the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division will be providing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions received during the first semester of each school year.  Additionally, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion on topics related to reading language arts curriculum standards and requirements. 

Dates & Times:
Registration Link — Wednesday, October 16 @ 10:00 a.m. (CT)
Registration Link — Thursday, October 17 @ 2:00 p.m. (CT)

Celebrate Freedom Week 

Celebrate Freedom Week (TEC § 29.907) coincides with Constitution Week, established by the U.S. Congress (36 USC §106) to encourage all Americans to learn about the Constitution. Both Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Week focus on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. 

During the Celebrate Freedom Week, Texas schools highlight the values and ideals on which the United States was founded as well as the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the country. Students learn about the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.  Students also examine the relationship between the ideas in these documents and subsequent American history. 

The TEA Celebrate Freedom Week web page provides resources that include a variety of lessons, activities, and instructional materials for Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day.   

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the history and cultural contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States. Students learn about the contributions in science, arts, literature, and culture of Hispanics throughout American history.  

The TEA has created a web page focused on providing resources for Hispanic Heritage Month that include instructional materials, activities, and lessons that can be used to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to support instruction in Mexican American Studies.  

English Language Arts & Reading TEKS

The links below provide access to the web-based version of the current English language arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do. You can also access a PDF version of the TEKS.

TEKS Guide

The purpose of the TEKS Guide is to help teachers understand each student expectation in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and to provide valuable resources to support instruction. Currently, the TEKS Guide includes resources for K-8 English Language Arts and K-6 Spanish Language Arts.

Vertical Alignment

The following vertical alignment documents were created to reflect the alignment of the new English and Spanish language arts and reading TEKS across grade levels, kindergarten – grade 12.

Grade 7 Reading Instruments

In accordance with the TEC, §28.006(c-1), each school district and open-enrollment charter school is required to administer at the beginning of Grade 7 a reading instrument adopted by the commissioner to each student whose performance on the assessment instrument in reading administered under TEC, Section §39.023(a), to the student in Grade 6 who did not demonstrate reading proficiency, as determined by the commissioner. The district shall administer the reading instrument in accordance with the commissioner's recommendations under the TEC, §28.006(a)(1).

For more information and to view the 2023-2027 Commissioner's List of Approved Grade 7 Reading Instruments, visit the Grade 7 Reading Instruments web page.

Recent English Language Arts Communications

The recent newsletters and updates below have been shared with stakeholders by the TEA reading language arts team. 

Additional TEA Web Pages Related to English Language Arts and Reading

Commemorative Weeks and Months

  • Each year, during the week that includes September 17, Texas schools honor Celebrate Freedom Week (TEC § 29.907) to highlight the values and ideals on which the United States was founded as well as the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the country. Students learn about the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.  Students also examine the relationship between the ideas in these documents and subsequent American history.
  • Celebrate Freedom Week web page
  • Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans who trace their heritage to Latin America or Spain. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The following websites provide instructional materials, activities, and lessons that can be used to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to support instruction in Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month web page
  • Each year, during February, we celebrate the history and cultural contributions of African Americans in the United States. Students learn about the achievements, perspectives, struggles, and experiences of African Americans throughout more than 400 years of American history. The following websites provide a variety of lessons, activities, and instructional materials that can be used to honor African American History Month and to support instruction in Ethnic Studies: African American Studies and other social studies courses throughout the year. 
  • Black History Month web page
  • SB 1828 was passed in 2019 in acknowledgment of the Holocaust’s ongoing significance. SB 1828 instructs the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) to develop or approve materials for public schools for a statewide Holocaust Remembrance Week. Counseled by the Commission, the Governor’s Office selected the week of January 27th as the date for Remembrance Week. (International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27, which is the date that Auschwitz was “liberated” by Allied troops.)
  • Holocaust Remembrance Week web page
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Contact Information

Curriculum Standards and Student Support

(512) 463-9581

For questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.

TEA Help Desk

Please subscribe for newsletter updates from the Reading Language Arts team.

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Reading Language Arts and Social Studies Team

Jim Doris
Social Studies/Reading Language Arts Director

Tamara Robert
Reading Language Arts Content Specialist

Tim Bryant 
K-8 Reading Language Arts & Social Studies Content Specialist

Guiomar Andújar
Spanish Content Specialist

Jenny Gaona 
Social Studies Content Specialist