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This page provides information on topics such as curriculum, assessment, rules, and professional development. We welcome any suggestions you may have that will improve this page for individuals working to provide high quality science programs for students. Join the science mailing list to receive updates as information becomes available.

The Division of Curriculum Standards and Student Support science team provides direction and leadership to Kindergarten (K) through grade 12 science educators in Texas. The science staff does the following:

  • Assists districts statewide with implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science
  • Facilitates the development and management of state-funded professional development programs
  • Collaborates with the Division of Student Assessment in the development of state science assessments
  • Assists the Division of Instructional Materials in overseeing the adoption process for grades K-12 science instructional materials
  • Reviews state certifications related to science
  • In addition, the science staff coordinates the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC), National Youth Science Camp (NYSC), and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
  • Science staff also provides on-going communication with the field related to science curriculum and graduation requirements found in Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

Announcements

During the 2020 and 2021 meetings, the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten–high school.

Based on recommendations from the content advisors and Work Group A, TEA convened a separate work group in June and July 2020 to develop recommendations regarding scientific and engineering practices and the process skills in the current science TEKS. The adopted scientific and engineering practices will replace the current process skills for kindergarten–to grade 12. 

The recently adopted science TEKS are scheduled for implementation beginning with the 2024–2025 school year. A copy of the newly adopted TEKS can be found here.

2020-2021 New Science TEKS Resources 

The Texas Education Agency has developed resources to support districts transitioning to the new science standards during the 2024-2025 implementation. The full TEKS Guide will be released during the summer of 2024.  

The K-12 content vertical alignment documents show the alignment of concepts by topic area. The standards have been organized into four broad scientific disciplines: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics. The K-12 Scientific and Engineering Practices and Recurring Themes and Concepts vertical alignment document shows the progression of practices and themes through the grade levels.

Purpose of the TEA STEM Toolkit:

The Texas Education Agency has developed a full collection of tools to support districts in developing a local STEM program aligned to the high-quality indicators identified by the state. The STEM tools are designed to support a district in planning and implementing a PK-12 STEM program aligned to the Texas STEM Framework.

Purpose of this Collection of STEM One-Pagers:

The Texas Education Agency has developed a collection of STEM one-pagers that support STEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). These resources can be used to communicate STEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to students, educators, and the community. 

Engineering Design Process (PDF)

Engineering Design Components and Evaluation Process (PDF)

Recurring Themes and Concepts (PDF)

Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) (PDF)

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The awards were established by Congress in 1983. The National Science Foundation, under the direction of the White House, approves the Texas candidates for the national award. If selected as an awardee, the applicant will receive $10,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. for ceremonies that include recognition from the President of the United States.

The current cycle is for teachers of grade 7 through 12. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by the PAEMST deadline, will receive 25 CPE hours.

Contact Texas State PAEMST Coordinators

If you are interested in helping out for the 2022-2023 review cycle, or have any other questions please contact your Texas State PAEMST Coordinators at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

    Lori Garrett was selected as a 2020 science PAEMST national awardee. Mrs. Garrett teaches pre-kindergarten through grade 4 / science & enrichment at Cactus Elementary School in Dumas ISD, Cactus, TX. Additional information on the announcement for Mrs. Garrett is available on her PAEMST website profile (outside source).

    The 2020 competition recognizes grades 7 through 12 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists were recognized in September 2021 at the Texas State Board of Education meeting and are listed below:

    • Fatimah Aboueisha teaches Pre-AP Biology and Biology at Brandeis High School in the Northside ISD, San Antonio, TX
    • William Crump teaches Pre-AP and STEM Chemistry at Colleyville Heritage High School in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Colleyville, TX
    • Michelle Jedlicka teaches Physic 1 and AP Physics C at A&M Consolidated High School in the College Station ISD, College Station, TX

    The 2022 competition recognizes kindergarten through grade 6 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists in elementary science are listed below:

    • Denise Carvin teaches grade 1 at Radiant STEM Academy in Irving, TX.
    • Cheri Palmer teaches grade 5 science at iUniversity Prep in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD in Grapevine, TX.
    • Shatara White teaches grade 6 advanced placement science classes at Tomball Intermediate School in Tomball ISD in Tomball, TX.

    The 2023 competition recognizes grades 7 through 12 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists are listed below:

    • Jamie Flint teaches Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Honors Chemistry at Spring Woods High School in the Spring Branch ISD, Houston, TX
    • Krystle Moos teaches AP and Honors Chemistry at Midway High School in the Midway ISD, Waco, TX
    • Voke Ogueh teaches Fundamentals of Computer Science and AP Computer Science Principles at Hastings High School in the Alief ISD, Houston, TX
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    Related Content

    Documents

    The following documents are provided as a reference for science teachers.

    Related Links

    The resources below address various topics related to the science standards, awards, and organizations.

      Professional Development

      Statewide science and STEM professional development opportunities are available at regional education service centers (ESCs) and through the Texas Gateway.

      Contact the science specialist or STEM Lead at your regional ESC for upcoming professional development opportunities.

      Professional development opportunities are also available through the statewide network of TEEAC Providers. This network of universities, state agencies, museums, and nature centers helps ensure that teacher professional development offered by formal and non-formal providers is educationally sound and consistent with the TEKS.

        Contact Information

        Science Contacts

        Math and Science Director, Shawna Wiebusch

        Secondary Science Content Specialist, Liz Baker

        Elementary Science and Math Content Specialist, Carla Bailey

        Statewide STEM Coordinator, Michelle Sedberry

        Texas Education Agency
        Curriculum Standards and Student Support

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

           Help Desk  

        (512) 463-9581

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