To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence
In June 2026, the State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted amendments to the graduation requirements in 19 Texas Administrative Code §74.12 to align with House Bill (HB) 27, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.
HB 27 amended the Foundation High School Program social studies graduation requirements for students entering grade 9 in the 2026–2027 school year. The SBOE adopted corresponding amendments to 19 TAC §74.12, Foundation High School Program, to maintain two sets of social studies graduation requirements: one set for students entering Grade 9 in the 2026–2027 school year or later and one set maintaining the requirements for students who entered Grade 9 before the 2026–2027 school year.
Beginning with students entering the 2026–2027 school year, students must complete a one-half credit course in personal financial literacy instead of one-half credit in economics as part of the social studies requirements for graduation. The personal financial literacy requirement may be satisfied through one of the existing Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) based personal financial literacy courses:
At its August-September 2026 meeting, the SBOE adopted TEKS for a new one-half credit course, Applied Personal Financial Literacy, that will be implemented in classrooms beginning in the 2028–2029 school year. When the new TEKS are implemented, Applied Personal Financial Literacy will replace the current personal financial literacy courses for the purpose of satisfying the personal financial literacy graduation requirement.
In addition to the existing options to complete one credit in either world geography or world history, this cohort of students may also complete one credit in economics to satisfy a social studies requirement. In June 2026, the SBOE adopted TEKS for a new one-credit course, Foundations in Economics, that will be available for implementation in classrooms beginning with the 2033–2034 school year. Until the new course is implemented, students may satisfy the one-credit economics option by completing one credit or a combination of credits from existing, advanced state-approved economics courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics or a dual credit economics course.
Students who entered Grade 9 before the 2026–2027 school year continue to be subject to the social studies graduation requirements that were in effect when they entered grade 9.
Under 19 TAC §74.3(b)(2)(D), a school district that offers Grades 9-12 must offer United States History Studies Since 1877, World History Studies, United States Government, World Geography Studies, Personal Financial Literacy, Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits, and Personal Financial Literacy and Economics. Districts must also maintain evidence that students have the opportunity to take each of these courses. These required course offerings support the social studies graduation requirements for both student cohorts. Once the new social studies TEKS are implemented, the SBOE is expected to update the required social studies course offerings in 19 TAC §74.3(b)(2)(D).
If you have questions regarding the social studies graduation requirements or required course offerings, please contact the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division through the TEA Help Desk.