KYLE, Texas — Texas public school districts are closely watching the State Board of Education this week as members prepare to vote Friday on proposed new social studies standards that could reshape classroom instruction across the state.
The proposed standards would place a greater emphasis on civics and government, require instruction on communism, expand Texas and U.S. history lessons, and include references to Christianity and the Bible.
If approved, school districts would have until the 2030-31 school year to implement the changes.
Emily Herrin, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Hays CISD, said the changes would require significant adjustments for teachers and administrators.
“There’d be some pretty big changes in curriculum and instruction for all of our teaching staff,” Herrin said.
Districts would spend the next several years preparing teachers, reviewing instructional materials and updating lesson plans to align with the new standards.
“That is a fast timeline. That’s an incredibly fast timeline,” Herrin said.
One of the proposed changes would alter when students learn certain social studies topics. Herrin said Texas history, which is currently taught primarily in fourth and seventh grades, would be spread across multiple grade levels under the proposal.
“So where we have Texas history in fourth and seventh grade right now, that would be sprinkled three through eight,” Herrin said.
Although the standards would not take effect for several years, Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy said community members who want their voices heard should pay attention to the process now.
“Whatever happens at the state level quite often, that’s the main structure. We have to live within what they decide,” Savoy said. “We can’t not follow state law.”
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The State Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposed standards Friday.
Residents who missed the advance online registration deadline for public testimony may still be able to register in person up to 30 minutes before a meeting begins, subject to approval by the meeting chair.