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November 2024

March 2025

Social Studies

Curriculum Standards and Student Support

Social Studies Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to the TEA social studies newsletter.  

This issue of the TEA social studies newsletter provides information on the following topics:

Social Studies Timely Topic: Texas History Month

To support Texas social studies educators and stakeholders, the social studies newsletter will occasionally highlight a question and response focused on a timely social studies topic.   This edition’s timely topic focuses on Texas history in recognition of events throughout Texas history and in honor of those Texans who have helped shape the history of Texas.   Question: Where can I find resources to support the teaching of Texas history?   The Bullock Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board, provides resources to gain content knowledge or to create activities for your students to take a deeper dive into Texas history. To learn more, go to the Bullock Museum Texas History Online web page and the Bullock Museum Education web page.    The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation and provides free, downloadable resources for K-12 students and teachers. THC invites K-12 educators to subscribe to their Teaching Texas History newsletter that provides Texas history resources and information about the THC's 40 State Historic Sites.    The Texas Women’s Hall of Fame housed at Texas Woman’s University features the biographies and photographs of the more than 100 pioneering women who have left their mark on our great state.     The Texas State Library and Archives (TSLAC) preserves the archival record of Texas, supports research, and makes primary resources available to the public from their various collections.    The Portal to Texas History is a digital gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about Texas created and maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries.

Civics Training Program Update

Texas Education Code (TEC) §21.4555, as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 3 (87th Texas Legislature, Second Session, 2021), calls for the commissioner to develop Civics Training Programs for teachers and administrators to facilitate the teaching of civics curriculum.

After the Civics Training Programs are fully developed, each local educational agency will ensure that every campus has at least one teacher and one principal or campus instructional leader who has attended a civics training program. 

The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Social Studies Course Needs  

Need help meeting a student’s social studies course needs?   The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ needs through TEA-approved online courses. The TXVSN statewide course catalog provides eighteen unique social studies courses to help students meet their learning goals and graduation requirements.    The TXVSN courses are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and taught by Texas-certified teachers trained in best practices in online instruction. Schools can use the TXVSN courses to create flexibility in a student’s schedule, allow a student to accelerate their learning, or address local teacher shortages. Students enrolled in a TXVSN course can generate funding regardless of whether the student is physically present at school while participating in the course. For more information about the courses offered through the TXVSN, please visit the TXVSN website or contact the TXVSN Help Desk.

Innovative Course Application Cycle

The application window is now open for the 2026–2027 cycle. Applicants may begin to submit materials. Innovative course applications that are considered and approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) for this cycle will be made available for districts and open-enrollment charters for the 2026-2027 school year. Some important dates include the following: 

Stakeholders can learn more about innovative courses and the upcoming application cycle on the TEA innovative courses webpage.

Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.

Social Studies Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581

For questions or additional information, please visit the Social Studies web page or submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.

The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.