AUSTIN—Members of the State Board of Education gave final approval for the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills high school social studies standards.
The final approval during Friday’s meeting follows approval for the elementary and middle school social studies during the board’s June meeting.
While critics attempted to insert left-wing ideologies and weaken teachings of American exceptionalism and Christianity in the TEKS, those attempts were ultimately unfruitful.
Members amended and voted on each of the five separate subchapters: U.S. History, Government, Geography, World History, and personal financial literacy.
U.S. Government ultimately passed in a 10-3 vote following several proposed amendments that focused on clarity and specificity.
SBOE Member Tom Maynard proposed an amendment that added text requiring students to “explain Sir William Blackstone’s view that human law should conform to the law of nature and God’s revealed law found in the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament” in relation to students understanding the “historical roots of the constitutional republic” and the concept of “limited government.”
This amendment was ultimately adopted, although SBOE Member Rebecca Bell-Metereau argued that it “essentially violates the Establishment Clause of establishing religion.”
SBOE Member Audrey Young responded that it is required to be taught by law. When Texas Education Agency staff was asked, they told the body that it “has received testimony from the Attorney General’s office” that “there is a requirement to teach religious literature and its impact on history and literature.”
U.S History passed 11-2 in a bipartisan vote after minimal amendments again focusing on clarity and specificity.
World History passed 9-3 after amendments by the board, including adding the painting of “The Last Supper” and President Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” speech to the TEKS.
Geography passed in an 8-3 vote, with only a few amendments to add clarity.
These new standards will be used in high schools across Texas beginning in the 2033-34 school year.
A revised version of the TEKS for “Applied Personal Financial Literacy” was passed in an 8-4 vote as proposed by Chair Aaron Kinsey.
