State Board of Education returns to debate on social studies and reading lists

The State Board of Education met April 7-10 to discuss a variety of ongoing topics, including upcoming changes to the state's social studies curriculum and a new list of required literary works to be read in each grade level. Read more about the Board's previous discussions on these topics here and here.

By the 8 a.m. start time Tuesday, both the main meeting room and the overflow room were standing room only and dozens of members of the public sat on the floor outside both rooms, listening to the debate and waiting for their turn to testify. Chairman Aaron Kinsey (R-Midland) placed the required list of literary works and the social studies curriculum items early on Tuesday's agenda in anticipation of overwhelming public interest.

Required literary works

Over the next 10 hours, more than 100 people testified on the proposed list of required literary works, including Rep. Mark Dorazio (R-San Antonio), who gave his full support to the original, longer list proposed by TEA and the inclusion of Bible passages in whichever version the Board ends up passing. Texas Republican Party Chairman Abraham George also appeared at the meeting to lend his support for the original version of the reading list.

Of the other members of the public who testified, more spoke about the inclusion of Bible passages than any other concern brought up during the debate. Some who testified voiced their support of including Bible passages, stating that knowledge of the Bible is critical to understanding American history. Those opposed to including the passages, including several who identified themselves as Christians, expressed concerns about the potential for proselytization in the classroom and the ability of teachers to accurately teach Bible passages to students. Many of those who identified themselves as Christians who oppose including the passages stated that they would prefer to teach their own children the Bible at home or at church rather than require teachers to do so.

Others who testified cited the length of the list as a concern, noting that an excessive amount of literary works per grade level would leave little room for teachers and students to select their own materials to read. A handful of people also mentioned that any materials on the list would be fair game for the STAAR or the Student Success Tool (SST) assessment that will replace STAAR in the 2027-28 school year.

TCTA weighs in

TCTA's testimony echoed many of the concerns about the length of the literary list, but also cautioned the Board about the potentially high cost of acquiring these materials for school districts. Additionally, TCTA requested that the Board consider specifying excerpts of longer works such as The Odyssey and Dante's Divine Comedy to allow teachers adequate time to teach them as well as to specify which parts of those works could be included on a state assessment. Read TCTA's written testimony here.

After around seven hours of public commentary, Member Will Hickman (R-Houston) offered some small edits to his version of the list that incorporated stakeholder feedback he received since the item was last debated in February. In his changes, he agreed to TCTA's suggestion to allow excerpts of longer works and specified a few excerpts of The Odyssey that would be required of students instead of the entire poem.

The Board was about to begin debating Hickman's list, but Member Keven Ellis (R-Lufkin) proposed his own list of required literary works, which he had sent to the other members in the late afternoon Monday. Since most had not had adequate time to read Ellis's list, Chair Kinsey put a hold on further discussion of any of the literary lists and opted to begin hearing public testimony on changes to the social studies TEKS to allow those who travelled to attend the hearing to testify at a reasonable hour.

On Friday, the Board added one amendment to allow literary works to be taught in an earlier grade than the one specified on the list if the school district desires.

The Board voted to advance Ellis's version of the list of required literary works to a final vote in June.

Social studies curriculum

The proposed changes to the social studies curriculum have drawn criticism not only because of the changes themselves, but also because of the process used to produce the recommendations. In the past, work groups comprised of teachers, academics and other members of the public were the driving force behind any recommendations offered to the Board, but content advisors, experts appointed by the Board, led this process this time.

Most of those who testified were against the proposed changes, citing concerns over an outsized focus on Texas history, a lack of world history, the patchwork nature of many of the standards, and the likely inability for teachers to effectively teach all of the standards within a single school year.

TCTA testified on the proposed changes, citing the length of the standards as a potential challenge for teachers, as well as the standards' reduction of teacher autonomy in choosing materials for students. Read TCTA's written testimony here.

After public commentary ended, several of the content advisors were seated at a table at the front of the room to be available for any content questions from Board members. Beginning with the kindergarten TEKS, the Board then began working line by line to make edits. The Board adjourned for the evening just before 2 AM, having only reached the second grade TEKS by that time.

The Board resumed the discussion on Wednesday and Thursday, even going as late at 3:30 AM on Thursday in an effort to review each grade level before the final meeting on Friday. At time of publication, the Board's deliberations on advancing the proposed social studies curriculum changes to a final vote in June are ongoing.