Update on Ethnic Studies Innovative Courses

August 31, 2023

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss a newly approved ethnic studies innovative course, American Indian/Native Studies, and consider recommending the addition of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for a course in American Indian/Native studies.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(4) and §28.002(f).

TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.

TEC, §28.002(f), authorizes local school districts to offer courses in addition to those in the required curriculum for local credit and requires the SBOE to be flexible in approving a course for credit for high school graduation.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the request of the committee, development of TEKS for a new American Indian/Native studies course could begin at a future date.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The 83rd Texas Legislature, 2013, passed House Bill (HB) 5, amending the TEC, §28.025, to change the high school graduation programs from the minimum, recommended, and advanced high school programs to one foundation high school program with endorsements to increase flexibility in graduation requirements for students. In August 2013, the SBOE held a work session to discuss changes to the graduation requirements in order to align with the requirements of HB 5, including discussion of courses required by the legislation. In 2014, the SBOE prioritized the development of new courses to align with requirements of HB 5. The list of new courses to be developed included a Mexican American studies course.

An innovative course in Mexican American Studies was approved by the commissioner of education in 2015 and was available to school districts and charter schools beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. In September 2018, the SBOE adopted TEKS for a new Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies course effective July 1, 2019.

In November 2019, the SBOE adopted amendments to its rules on innovative courses to require comprehensive ethnic studies innovative courses in Native American studies, Latino studies, African American studies, and/or Asian Pacific Islander studies be presented to the SBOE for discussion and consideration for inclusion in the TEKS.

In June 2019, a new African American Studies innovative course was approved by the commissioner of education for use beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. The SBOE gave final approval to TEKS for a new Ethnic Studies: African American Studies course in April 2020 effective August 1, 2020.

In July 2023, the commissioner of education approved a new innovative course in Ethnic Studies: American Indian/Native Studies. This item provides the opportunity for the SBOE to consider the addition of TEKS for American Indian/Native studies in the social studies elective courses.

Staff Members Responsible:         
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Shelly Ramos, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support