On September 14, the State Board of Education (SBOE) gave preliminary approval to streamlined social studies standards and gave final approval to a Mexican American Studies course. The streamlined social studies curriculum standards given approval by the State Board of Education to solicit public feedback. The board rejected a proposal by an advisory group that suggested deleting the specific reference to the famous letter and deleting the word “heroic” when describing the Alamo heroes.
SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich said, “I appreciate the hard work of all those who served on the social studies work groups. The board accepted many of their recommendations, but the board unanimously felt the need to defend the Alamo. Texas has a unique history and it has been clear this past week that Texans feel passionately about telling this story.”
The vote on September 14 was a first reading, or preliminary, vote. The final vote on streamlining of the kindergarten through 12th grade social studies curriculum standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, will occur at the board’s next meeting scheduled for Nov. 13-16.
The State Board of Education also gave final approval to a new course called Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies. It is the first ethnic studies course approved by the Texas board and is believed to be the first Mexican American Studies course approved by any State Board of Education. The course will be available for use in Texas public schools in the 2019-2020 school year.
