This week’s query:
Who decides what students learn in Texas public schools?
The function of a little-known but significant government agency was brought to light last week when the State Board of Education voted to accept a new curriculum that included biblical themes. The 15-member board has significant influence on what and how Texas kids are taught.
However, it is not the sole organization that controls Texas’s public school curriculum. Local school boards, the state legislature, and others also have a significant role.
Learn who makes decisions about what students learn in Texas public schools.
What is the federal government s role in deciding what Texas students learn?
Although it establishes certain guidelines and standards for states, the federal government has little influence over what Texas kids study.
For instance, each state is required by federal law to administer standardized tests in science, arithmetic, and reading to children across many grade levels. States have broad control over how the tests are created.
Additionally, schools are required by federal law to provide particular support to students with disabilities and to abide by anti-discrimination legislation.
Advocates of more local and state government control have criticized some of the federal government’s attempts to exert more control over what students learn. The Common Core State Standards, which gave a general overview of what students should learn in major areas, were approved by states with funding from the federal government in the early 2010s. Texas, however, decided not to take part.
What is the state Legislature s role in deciding what students learn?
Although they have given the State Board of Education much of the authority over curriculum and learning standards, Texas lawmakers have set the general framework for what children should learn.
A fundamental curriculum of 12 courses, such as English language arts, math, science, social studies, and physical education, is mandated by state lawmakers for all school districts.
State law specifies more precisely what some disciplines pupils must learn. For instance, Texas history, American history, world history, government, geography, and economics, as well as a number of texts pertaining to the establishment of the United States, must all be covered in social studies classrooms.
What is the State Board of Education s role?
The State Board of Education describes hundreds of things that students in Texas should know and be able to do. These expectations are called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, and they build on the standards established by state lawmakers.
The TEKS provide guidance to local educators on what they should teach pupils by breaking them down by subject and grade level.
In collaboration with educators, parents, business executives, and other Texans, the state board creates and continuously improves the TEKS. At board meetings, which are usually conducted every two to three months, they cast votes on modifications.
Click here to read the TEKS and find out more about them.
Additionally, the State Board of Education decides to designate specific curricula as High-Quality Instructional Materials. Although school districts can receive $40 to $60 per student year for using curriculums with the high-quality rating, they are not obligated to do so.
Who s on the state Board of Education and how do they get there?
The 15 members of the State Board of Education are chosen by Texans; seven of them are appointed to two-year terms, and the other eight are appointed to four-year terms. Candidates run as Democrats, Republicans, or members of other political parties because the elections are partisan contests.
Each of the 15 members represents about the same percentage of Texas and hails from various parts of the state. At the moment, Democrats have four board seats while Republicans have eleven.
Greater Houston is represented by four board members:
- Staci Childs, a Democrat, who primarily represents much of eastern Harris County
- Will Hickman, a Republican, who primarily represents northwest Harris County and most of Montgomery County
- Audrey Young, a Republican, whose district covers parts of Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties and all of Waller County
- Julie Pickren, a Republican, who represents most of Fort Bend County and all of Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston and Liberty counties.
To find out who is your representative, go here.
What role do local school boards, administrators and teachers play in how kids learn?
As long as they abide by the laws and regulations established by state and federal authorities, local school boards and administrators have the last say over how children are taught in their district.
According to Texas law, local education leaders are the only ones with the authority to mandate curriculum adoption for a school district; the Texas Education Agency is not permitted to do so.
A school system must obtain input from teachers, staff comments, and board of trustee approval before implementing a curriculum.
Lastly, teachers help students master the TEKS while adhering to state and federal rules by giving them the most practical training. Districts are required by state law to give teachers enough time to teach and for pupils to acquire the TEKS.
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