SBOE reviews changes to social studies TEKS during special meeting

The State Board of Education held a special meeting Feb. 25, 2026, to discuss recommended changes to the K-12 social studies curriculum. The Board periodically reviews the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and makes changes as it sees fit and, in some cases, as required by law. The last such review of the social studies TEKS occurred in 2022.

When conducting TEKS reviews, SBOE members appoint content advisors who are experts in the topic under review. Each content advisor oversees work groups that consist of educators and members of the public who apply to participate and are selected by TEA and SBOE. These work groups produce recommendations on changes to the TEKS and the content advisor for each group provides feedback on the work groups' recommendations to the SBOE.

Public testimony

Over 90 members of the public appeared at the Feb. 25 meeting to testify on the work groups' recommendations, including some members of the work groups themselves.

Most criticized the shifting focus from world history to United States and Texas history, as well as the limited perspective offered of some historical periods, with some calling the proposed curriculum "a mile wide and an inch deep."

Several workgroup members who testified cautioned their colleagues that the final product of this TEKS review must be manageable enough to form a coherent curriculum.

Board members deliberated on their priorities for the TEKS review with some agreeing with the majority of those who testified that the proposed changes include glaring omissions and a lack of diverse perspectives, while others appreciated the increased focus on U.S. and Texas history.

Content advisors were on hand to clear up any factual misconceptions by SBOE members and often offered their own perspectives on the direction of the work groups' efforts.

Difficult decisions

A constant thread through the discussion was that of how to make appropriate editorial decisions on what topics to include and which to pare down or cut altogether. With only so much time in a student's K-12 education and a growing number of relevant contemporary history topics to consider, these editorial decisions have grown more difficult.

Some members reminded their colleagues of this at nearly every opportunity; if one member suggested adding something to the curriculum, another would respond, "And what will you cut to fit that in?"

Late in the meeting, SBOE member Tom Maynard (R-Florence) opined on who bears the ultimate responsibility for revising the TEKS. He spoke of the parents, teachers and educators who offer their input on what should change, but ended by saying, "There is no requirement that we surrender that authority to anyone but ourselves," offering a reminder to his colleagues that the Board has the final say on any changes and will bear the criticism that inevitably follows.

Votes ahead

A preliminary vote on changes to the social studies TEKS will take place at the Board's meeting April 6-10, with a final vote on adopting the changes set to take place at the June 22-26 meeting. If adopted, the new standards would take effect in the 2030-31 school year.

GET INVOLVED: The TEKS review process is ongoing and TEA is still soliciting applications for the next set of work groups.

Click here if you are interested in applying.

Other action

The Board also voted 9-6 to approve around 4,200 corrections to the state's open education resources, commonly known as Bluebonnet Learning.

Read more from The Texas Tribune here.