Jan-Feb 2017 Committee on Instruction Item 8
Discussion of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for
International Baccalaureate Courses
February 2, 2017
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss the addition of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for additional International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(4) and §28.002.
TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.
TEC, §28.002, identifies the subjects of the required curriculum and requires the SBOE by rule to identify 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.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE originally adopted the TEKS for IB courses in English language arts and reading, mathematics, Environmental Science, and economics effective September 1, 1998; IB social studies courses effective September 1, 2001; IB technology applications courses effective September 26, 2011; IB languages other than English courses effective July 15, 2014; and IB science courses effective August 24, 2015. The IB mathematics TEKS were amended effective October 21, 2007, and the IB Further Mathematics Higher Level course was again amended effective October 10, 2012. IB History: Americas Higher Level and IB Geography Standard and Higher Levels were amended effective August 24, 2015.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: Upon request by the SBOE, proposed revisions to the TEKS will be presented for first reading and filing authorization at a future SBOE meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In order for students to earn state credit toward specific graduation requirements, a course must be approved by the SBOE and listed in the Texas Administrative Code. This item allows the SBOE to consider the addition of TEKS for IB courses not yet approved by the board.
FISCAL IMPACT: The TEA does not anticipate any additional costs to persons or entities required to comply with the proposed amendments; however, fiscal implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The proposed revisions would make additional TEKS-based IB courses available to allow students more flexibility in meeting state requirements for graduation.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Procedural and reporting implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: Locally maintained paperwork requirements will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: The official public comment period will begin when the proposal, approved for first reading and filing authorization by the SBOE, is published in the Texas Register.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Support Services
Shelly Ramos, Senior Director
Curriculum Standards and Student Support
Attachment:
Statutory Citations (PDF, 18KB)