June 22, 2026 Committee of the Full Board Item 2
Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, Subchapter C, High School, and Subchapter D, Other Social Studies Courses
(Second Reading and Final Adoption)
June 26, 2026
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item presents for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, Subchapter C, High School, and Subchapter D, Other Social Studies Courses. The proposed new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) would update the social studies standards and implement House Bill (HB) 27, HB 824, and Senate Bill (SB) 24, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4); 28.002(a); (c); (h-3), as added by HB 824, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025; and (h-11) as added by SB 24, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025; and 28.025(a); and (b-24), as added by HB 27, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.
TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.
TEC, §28.002(a), identifies the subjects of the required curriculum.
TEC, §28.002(c), requires the SBOE to identify by rule the essential knowledge and skills of each subject in the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating instructional materials and addressed on the state assessment instruments.
TEC, §28.002(h-3), as added by HB 824, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, requires the SBOE to adopt essential knowledge and skills for the government component of the social studies curriculum that address specific topics to develop each student's civic knowledge.
TEC, §28.002(h-11), as added by SB 24, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, requires the SBOE to adopt TEKS for Grades 4-12 social studies, as appropriate, that develop each student's understanding of communist regimes and ideologies.
TEC, §28.025(a), requires the SBOE to determine by rule the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school graduation program that are consistent with the required curriculum under TEC, §28.002.
TEC, §28.025(b-24), as added by HB 27, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, requires the SBOE to allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirement for a one-half credit in personal financial literacy by successfully completing an advanced placement (AP) course designated by the SBOE as containing substantively similar and rigorous academic content.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the links above.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the proposed new sections is 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. Under TEC, §7.102(f), the SBOE must approve the rule action at second reading and final adoption by a vote of two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. The earlier effective date will enable school systems to begin preparing for implementation of the new TEKS.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted the TEKS for social studies effective September 1, 1998. Amendments to the social studies TEKS were adopted effective August 23, 2010. At the November 2018 meeting, the SBOE adopted amendments to streamline the social studies TEKS effective August 1, 2019, for Subchapters B and C and effective August 1, 2020, for Subchapter A. At the April 2020 meeting, the SBOE adopted revisions to Subchapters C and D, effective August 1, 2020. At the June 2021 meeting, the SBOE adopted new 19 TAC §113.76 effective August 1, 2022. At the November 2022 meeting, the SBOE adopted revisions to Chapter 113, Subchapters A-C, effective August 1, 2024. At the April 2026 meeting, the SBOE removed §113.26, Personal Financial Literacy (One-Half Credit), Adopted 2026, from the proposal and approved the remaining proposed new courses in Chapter 113, Subchapters A-D, for first reading and filing authorization.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: In accordance with statutory requirements that the SBOE identify by rule the essential knowledge and skills of each subject in the required curriculum, the SBOE follows a board-approved cycle to review and revise the essential knowledge and skills for each subject.
The TEKS for social studies and economics were originally adopted effective September 1, 1998. The Kindergarten-Grade 12 social studies TEKS and the TEKS for economics were revised effective August 23, 2010. In 2015, the SBOE adopted revisions to the TEKS for certain Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) social studies courses to require that students demonstrate proficiency in the TEKS for the corresponding AP and IB courses, in addition to the AP or IB course requirements. In 2018, the SBOE approved streamlining revisions to the social studies TEKS for Kindergarten-Grade 8 and four high school social studies courses (United States History Studies, World History Studies, World Geography, and United States Government). The SBOE also streamlined the TEKS for Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits and consolidated the TEKS for economics into Chapter 113. In April 2020, the SBOE approved proposed revisions to Chapter 113, Subchapter D, to update references to course numbers and titles to reflect the revisions to the social studies TEKS.
In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, amended TEC, §28.025, to add a one-half credit course in personal financial literacy and economics as an option to meet the one-half credit graduation requirement for economics under the Foundation High School Program. SB 1063 required that the SBOE adopt TEKS for the personal financial literacy and economics course and that the required curriculum for the course allocate two-thirds of the instructional time to personal financial literacy and one-third of instructional time to economics. At its June 2022 meeting, the SBOE adopted TEKS for the new course, §113.76, Personal Financial Literacy and Economics, and the rule became effective August 1, 2022.
In 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature passed HB 4509, Regular Session, and SB 3, Second Called Session, to require the teaching of informed patriotism and the founding documents of the United States and require the SBOE to adopt essential knowledge and skills for social studies that develop each student's civic knowledge, including an understanding of the fundamental moral, political, and intellectual foundations of the United States government. The SBOE approved proposed amendments to Chapter 113, Subchapters A-C, to update the standards for Kindergarten-Grade 8 and five high school courses (Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits, United States History Studies Since 1877, World History Studies, World Geography Studies, and United States Government) to align with SB 3 requirements.
In October 2024, the chairman of the SBOE established an ad hoc committee on social studies standards. The committee was charged with evaluating Texas's current social studies learning standards, researching best practices in history and civics education, and providing recommendations for developing exemplary state standards to ensure that Texas students receive a high-quality social studies education that prepares them for informed citizenship.
The goal of the committee was to provide clear, actionable recommendations for developing social studies curriculum standards that will position Texas as a national leader in history and civics education. The standards should equip students with essential knowledge of world, United States, and Texas history; geography; and civic institutions while fostering the skills and dispositions needed for engaged citizenship in a diverse democratic republic.
In 2025, the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, passed HB 27, which revised the high school social studies graduation requirement for students who enter Grade 9 in the 2026-2027 school year and thereafter. Under HB 27, students must successfully complete a one-half credit personal financial literacy course instead of the one-half credit economics course or one-half economics and personal financial literacy and economics course to satisfy the economics requirement under the Foundation High School Program. Additionally, the bill permits students in this cohort to select the third social studies credit required for graduation from one credit in economics, world geography, or world history. As a result, the bill requires the approval of a one-credit economics course for this cohort while the current one-half economics course offerings remain in place for students not subject to HB 27. The bill also added new TEC, §28.025(b-24), requiring the SBOE to allow a student to comply with the personal financial literacy requirement by successfully completing an AP course that contains substantively similar and rigorous academic content.
HB 824, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, added TEC, §28.002(h-3), to require the SBOE to adopt essential knowledge and skills for the government component of the social studies curriculum that address specific topics to develop each student's civic knowledge, including the role of government officials, the voting process, the eligibility requirements to run for elected office, Robert's Rules of Order, and the elected officials who represent the student.
Additionally, SB 24, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, added TEC, §28.002(h-11), to require the SBOE to adopt social studies TEKS for Grades 4-12 that develop each student's understanding of communist regimes and ideologies and that provide age and developmentally appropriate instruction and information on the topic.
During the April 10, 2025 Ad Hoc Committee on Social Studies meeting, a public hearing on recommendations for a framework to guide the organization of the TEKS for social studies, including the identification of core content topics that students should know in United States history, Texas history, world history, geography, and civics in Kindergarten-Grade 12, was conducted. Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff presented an update on the status and progress of the Social Studies Ad Hoc Committee's charges, and the Committee of the Full Board (COFB) heard public testimony at the June 2025 meeting. A survey to collect input on key topics, strand titles, course sequencing/layering, and effective practices to inform the social studies TEKS revision was distributed in August 2025.
At the September 2025 meeting, the SBOE approved the social studies framework course sequence and strands for Kindergarten-Grade 8. The SBOE designated content advisors for the social studies TEKS review, and an application to serve on social studies TEKS review work groups was posted on the TEA website in October 2025. A discussion item regarding content advisor recommendations for key topics to be included in the social studies TEKS framework was presented to the COFB at the November 2025 meeting. The content advisors were also directed to address instructional requirements from HB 27, HB 824, and SB 24 in their recommendations. At the January 2026 meeting, the SBOE approved key topics and subtopics to be included in the new TEKS for social studies. Work group meetings were convened in February 2026 to develop draft recommendations for the new social studies TEKS. As part of the SBOE's process for the review and revision of the TEKS, education service centers (ESCs) collected feedback from educators in their regions on the work group drafts and submitted the feedback to TEA.
The SBOE held a public hearing and discussed the proposed new TEKS for social studies at a special called meeting in February 2026. In March 2026, TEA convened additional work groups to address the feedback from the SBOE and ESC focus groups to finalize their recommendations. At the April 2026 meeting, the SBOE held a public hearing on the proposed new TEKS. At the meeting, the SBOE removed §113.26, Personal Financial Literacy (One-Half Credit), Adopted 2026, from the proposal and directed staff to post both the proposed new course as presented in the April agenda and an alternative version presented during the meeting on the TEA website for informal public feedback. At that time, the SBOE also approved the remaining proposed new rules in 19 TAC Chapter 113, Subchapters A-D, for first reading and filing authorization.
The attachment to this item reflects the text of proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 113, Subchapters A-D, for consideration by the SBOE for second reading and final adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that for the first five years the proposal is in effect (2026-2030), there are fiscal implications to the state. The estimated cost to TEA for revision of the social studies TEKS is $245,000 in Fiscal Year 2026. As part of the SBOE's TEKS review process, TEA executes personal services contracts with SBOE-appointed content advisors to provide written feedback on the TEKS. The content advisors may also be invited to testify before the board at an SBOE meeting. Expenses for travel to attend a meeting are reimbursed.
There may be fiscal implications for school districts and charter schools to implement the proposed new TEKS, which is expected to include the need for professional development and revisions to district-developed databases, curriculum, and scope and sequence documents. Since curriculum and instruction decisions are made at the local district level, it is difficult to estimate the fiscal impact on any given district.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would create new regulations by proposing new social studies TEKS required to be offered by school districts and charter schools.
The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would update the standards to align with recent legislative requirements and ensure the standards remain current. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would have no data and reporting impact.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Following the April 2026 SBOE meeting, notice of proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 113, Subchapters A-D, was filed with the Texas Register, initiating the public comment period. The public comment period on the proposal began May 15, 2026, and ended at 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2026. No comments had been received at the time this item was prepared. A summary of public comments received will be provided to the SBOE prior to and during the June 2026 meeting. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in June 2026 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, Subchapter C, High School, and Subchapter D, Other Social Studies Courses; and
Make an affirmative finding that immediate adoption of proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, Subchapter C, High School, and Subchapter D, Other Social Studies Courses, is necessary and shall have an effective date of 20 days after filing with the Texas Register. (Per TEC, §7.102(f), a vote of two-thirds of the members of the board is necessary for an earlier effective date.)
Staff Member Responsible:
Shannon Trejo, Deputy Commissioner, Office of School Programs
Attachment I:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter A, Elementary
Attachment II:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter B, Middle School
Attachment III:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter C, High School
Attachment IV:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, Subchapter D, Other Social Studies Courses