I’m sure you have heard this from the TXCSS leadership several times, because we believe this to be true. We can’t all take the time to visit legislators or attend State Board of Education meetings. We don’t all have the time to track all the pending legislation, but taking the time to vote is easy. Educators make a powerful difference by voting together to support public education.
Last year TXCSS entered into a partnership with Texas Educators Vote (TEV) to join in their efforts to create a culture of voting in Texas public schools. How can you help in these efforts?
One of their best resources is the “Who Does What?” guide. This concise brochure or “one-pager” details which elected officials make what decisions about public education. This resource could be used with students and parents.
Not only is your voice your power, but our combined voices are more powerful. We look forward to seeing you at the polls on Educator Voting Day – October 27th.
The sometimes complex and lengthy process for revising the social studies TEKS has reached a point at which many educators engage - reviewing the draft proposals. Please keep in mind that getting to these draft changes has taken a fair amount of time. In that process teachers have participated in survey sessions facilitated by the regional service centers and the TEA hosted sessions at the TXCSS conference last fall to solicit input from social studies educators. Content advisors were selected, met and made recommendations to the State Board of Education(SBOE). Work groups were selected with the appointment approval of SBOE members and those groups have met several times to produce the current drafts.
The SBOE wants to hear from the teachers now.
Please take the time to review the drafts for revising the social studies TEKS
and email the SBOE with your thoughts, suggestions, concerns.
Social Studies TEKS Review Work
The most up to date K-8 draft is from Work Group F.
Notable changes to the social studies TEKS include the following:
The SBOE meets next August 30 - September 2 , so make your voice heard soon.
Thank you so much to our TEA partners for keeping us up to date on Social Studies related news.
As part of the State Board of Education’s process to review and revise the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is surveying educators to help inform the recommendations of the social studies TEKS review work groups. We encourage you to provide your feedback regarding the current social studies TEKS by completing the survey.
Please note that survey will only be open for four weeks, so you are encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible. The Social Studies TEKS Review Survey will close on December 10, 2021.
The link to the Social Studies TEKS Review Survey is https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6PXR2JYyIHIv2jc
TEA UPDATE FALL 2021ppt
If you:
- Teach a civics-related subject (i.e. social studies, government, advocacy, etc.) - Teach within Texas - Teach students 13 years or older then you are eligible to participate!
- Teach a civics-related subject (i.e. social studies, government, advocacy, etc.)
- Teach within Texas
- Teach students 13 years or older then you are eligible to participate!
The study will focus on how you teach and think about civics. Participation involves a 45-minute Zoom interview with the researcher.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING OR GETTING MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT BRIANNA DIAZ AT DIAZBF@BC.EDU.
or schedule an interview here
https://calendly.com/diazbrianna/civics-interview
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will soon begin the review and revision of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for K-12 social studies. The SBOE’s TEKS review and revision process calls for multiple, separate work groups to make recommendations to the SBOE for revisions to the current standards. SBOE members nominate individuals, including educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers, to serve on TEKS review work groups.
The SBOE is now accepting applications to serve on social studies TEKS review work groups. Applications received will be submitted to SBOE members for review throughout the process.
Individuals selected will be asked to serve on one or more work groups. TEKS review work groups typically convene for two-day meetings and may include Saturdays. Additional days or meetings may be scheduled if needed. The Texas Education Agency is currently conducting TEKS review meetings virtually but is expected to return to face-to-face meetings later this year. The invitation to serve on a work group will include the format/location of the meeting.
To access the application and for more information regarding the K-12 social studies TEKS review, please visit the Social Studies TEKS Review webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/2021-2022-social-studies-teks-review.
Questions regarding the application or TEKS review process may be sent via email to teks@tea.texas.gov.
As of this writing SB 3 has been sent to the governor and with his signature will replace HB 3979. The TXCSS leadership is aware that many of you have questions about how this legislation affects your classrooms. Please be cognizant that much of the confusion surrounding this legislation is related to misinformation.
SB3 reiterates that teachers are to teach the TEKS. TXCSS has provided these guidelines on SB3 in hopes of answering some of your questions.
HB3979 Guidelines
These guidelines were developed by the Texas Council for the Social Studies, teachers are urged to first consult with the leadership of your district regarding the local policies and interpretations of this bill.
Teaching civics and U.S. history are increasingly difficult tasks. Civics, like our communities, continues to change, grow, and evolve. We are looking for teachers who want to expand the impact they have beyond their own classroom and be part of the national dialogue about the future of civics and history in our country. We want these teachers to apply for our Teacher Council and we still need applications from your state to ensure our Council has a diverse and national perspective. The Council meets monthly and advises the Institute on strategic initiatives by providing feedback on classroom resources and best practices in student learning as well as regional civics initiatives. They assist the Institute with monthly projects including–but not limited to–writing projects, editing projects, and resource renewal projects.
Apply Today
Frequently Asked Questions: How long is the time commitment? August 1, 2021-July 31, 2022 What is the compensation? $150/month What are the requirements to serve on the Council? At least 1 year of classroom experience and a current position in a 7-12 grade social studies classroom. What is required for the application? A profile questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and a writing sample. I hope to receive your application! Laura Vlk Senior Manager, Teacher Services Bill of Rights Institute
Yesterday TCSS issued the press release below. Legislators want to hear from the teachers. HB3979 is up for a vote on May 4th. If passed it will likely become law - prohibiting teachers from discussions about current events or controversial topics and ending any privately funded professional development in social studies. Please take a few minutes to call your state representative.
Find your representative here.
https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
For immediate release: April 30, 2021
www.txcss.org
Renee Blackmon, President
Inquiries: advocacy@txcss.net
RE: SB2202/HB3979
Civic Education? Not even close.
As an advocate for quality civics education, the Texas Council for the Social Studies implores Texas lawmakers to resist the overreach of state power proposed in SB2202 and HB3979. These bills conflict with current social studies state standards, disregard research-based best practices, ignore the testimony of Texas teachers, and fail to achieve Governor Abbott’s charge to advance quality civics education.
Several provisions of SB2202/HB3979 are unworkable, unrealistic, and unnecessarily punitive. First, these bills aim to exercise state power over classroom instruction by regulating and limiting the discussion of current events and controversial topics despite it being in stark opposition to the Texas social studies standards. Teachers are expected to prepare students to be informed citizens by learning skills for evaluating information as independent, critical thinkers. In order to do this, students must learn to grapple with the controversy of current events and the complexity of the past. Additionally, regardless of the deleterious impact these bills have on students as citizens, how will these restrictions on local control be enforced? Will social studies classrooms be policed? Will discussions of current events and controversial topics continue unmonitored in other subject areas?
Second, while this legislation purports to address civic education, it prohibits schools from encouraging students to participate in the democratic process. If enacted, SB2202/HB3979 would outlaw student involvement in community projects. Past examples such as students working with the local government to erect a stop sign at a dangerous intersection or students partnering with legislators to proclaim pecan pie the state pie of Texas would no longer be possible. While science classes have labs for students to practice, the student laboratory of democratic practice takes place outside of the classroom in partnership with teachers that model the values of the local community.
Third, this legislation serves to further marginalize social studies education with a prohibition on privately-funded professional development opportunities and resources for teachers in social studies. Our communities spend millions of dollars to equip classroom science laboratories to empower future scientists. Our schools accept millions of dollars in partnerships with big businesses to create STEM-schools. However the state has yet to match this investment towards preparing our students to be good citizens. The state has shown little commitment to providing professional development opportunities to social studies teachers, funding social studies classroom resources, or embracing any comprehensive policies to improve social studies education.
It is time for Texas legislators to hear the voices of those most affected by this legislation. Research-based non-partisan bills promoting quality civics education languish in committees today. Policies to improve civics education must emerge from a coalition and encompass a multifaceted approach, including professional development for teachers and support for student participation in civics-related activities. SB2202/HB3979 fall far short at improving civics education. State legislators should model the expectations of good citizenship we have for our students including identifying community issues that need addressing, building a broad coalition of support, deliberating on solutions that incorporate expert research, and implementing a measurable solution. Should these bills become law, success will be measured by the volume of silence.
The Texas Council for the Social Studies proudly represents the thousands of Texas social studies teachers and leaders who are entrusted with modeling good citizenship while passing down the story of Texas and America to a new generation. These passionate educators work tirelessly to fulfill Texas’ education mission of preparing “thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our state and national heritage.”
The Texas Teachers Review, Assess, Develop, and Exchange (T-TRADE) pilot is an innovative, collaborative system for teachers to develop and share high-quality assessment items. In the summer of 2021, the system will be piloted with teachers of two courses: Grade 5 mathematics and high school United States History Studies Since 1877. Participating teachers will be invited to participate in the pilot for approximately 40 hours spread over several weeks this summer.
Benefits of the T-TRADE System
To learn more, please visit the T-TRADE web page.
T-TRADE Applications: Applicants are encouraged to submit a TEA Committee Educator Application by April 30, 2021. A "Committee Preferences" section is at the end of the application; select "T-TRADE Assessment Items Development."
Assessment Educator Committees
TEA is seeking classroom teachers, instructional coaches, campus and district content specialists, and campus administrators to serve on a variety of assessment-related committees. The involvement of Texas education professionals supports TEA in designing and building the best quality assessments. TEA is accepting applications for the following teacher committees:
Teacher and instructional specialists or coaches for the following grades and subject areas are encouraged to apply:
To apply to participate in these committees, educators should complete the Educator Committee Application Form at https://www.txetests.com/edc/.
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