Patillo Higgins is not a household name. Neither is Henry O. Flipper or William P. Hobby.
But Texas first-graders will have to learn all about these three Texas historical figures, and dozens more, under the state’s overhaul of Texas’ social studies standards.
Right now, the six and seven-year-olds’ lessons contain very little history. Instead, students focus on general social studies skills, like creating timelines and learning how to tell north, south, east and west.
The new proposal for first grade, which is up for a vote at the end of June, would cut back those lessons while adding new historical units that pull from the American Revolution to the Civil War. Higgins, Flipper and Hobby – an oilman, engineer, and former governor, respectively – would appear in lessons emphasizing the importance of oil and gas in Texas.
The first-graders would also encounter much more complex topics, including slavery, and be required to recognize a range of patriotic symbols and songs.
Republicans on the State Board of Education, which is leading the overhaul, say boosting the historical content will provide younger students with a better foundation and prepare them for higher-grade lessons on state and national history. But some public educators and advocates worry the numerous additions will make the course too dense for first graders to understand, especially when most elementary teachers lack special certification in social studies.
“Five-year-olds, six-year-olds, they understand things when they can connect them to what they immediately experience,” said Meghan Dougherty, a past president of the Texas Social Studies Leaders Association. “This is going to be more abstract, too distant for kids to really understand.”
Test your knowledge against the proposed first-grade curriculum:
A morning newsletter that keeps you connected to Houston in 5 minutes or less.
CreditsReporting by Isaac Yu. Editing and production by Allie Morris. Design and development by Miko Deloso/Hearst DevHub.
Originally published on June 10, 2026