New Texas TEKS Social Studies Standards Changes in 2024

By Kirsten Hammond

In November 2022, the Texas State Board of Education approved significant revisions to the Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), set to be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year.

These updates, focusing primarily on enhancing civics education, aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become informed and engaged citizens in our democratic society.

For upper elementary social studies teachers in Texas, understanding these changes is crucial for effective classroom instruction.

Let’s dive into what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how you can implement these standards in your classroom.

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Key Changes to the TEKS Standards

The TEKS revisions were approved to enhance civics education as mandated by Senate Bill 3 in 2021. This involves a greater emphasis on discussing current events, media literacy, and democratic process simulations, such as mock elections.

Grade-Specific Focus Areas

The core focus areas for each grade remain consistent:

  • Third Grade: Communities
  • Fourth Grade: Texas History
  • Fifth Grade: U.S. History

The revisions primarily impact the citizenship and social studies skills standards, with some standards being added or renumbered.

TEKS added on Voting American Flags and Pins on White Background

Citizenship Standards

For third, fourth, and fifth grades, new standards have been added to emphasize using voting as a method for group decision-making.

This involves teaching students how to make group decisions by voting, which can be likened to deciding on a game to play or a movie to watch with friends.

This helps students understand that voting gives everyone a say and ensures fairness.

Attentive diverse little children doing assignment during lesson at school

TEKS Social Studies Skills and Critical Thinking

New critical thinking TEKS standards have been added for all three grades:

  1. Differentiate and Compare Information: Third and fourth graders are expected to differentiate and compare information about specific issues or events from primary and secondary sources. Fifth graders will also identify and question the credibility of these sources.
  2. Identify the Central Claim: Students must identify the main idea or argument in primary or secondary sources.
  3. Develop and Communicate a Claim: Students should be able to develop and communicate a claim with supporting evidence visually, orally, or in writing, related to a social studies topic.

These skills are essential for helping students analyze information critically and form well-supported arguments.

Communication Skills

All grades must now apply foundational language skills to engage in civil discourse about social studies topics, including those with multiple perspectives. This teaches students to communicate effectively and respectfully about complex social issues.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

The steps for problem-solving and decision-making have been moved to specific subsections for each grade:

  • Third Grade: 3.16B
  • Fourth Grade: 4.22B
  • Fifth Grade: 5.26B

These steps involve identifying a problem, gathering information, listing and considering options, choosing and implementing a solution, and evaluating its effectiveness.

Group of Children

Practical Ideas for Implementing the New Standards

Here are some practical ideas to help you implement these new standards in your classroom:

  1. Mock Elections: Organize mock elections to teach students about the voting process and the importance of civic participation.
  2. Primary Source Analysis: Engage students in analyzing primary sources, such as historical documents or artifacts, to develop critical thinking skills.
  3. Debates and Civil Discourse: Facilitate debates or discussions on current events to promote civil discourse and understanding of diverse perspectives.
  4. Problem-Solving Simulations: Create simulations where students work together to solve real-world problems using democratic procedures, such as voting.
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Additional Resources

To help you align your teaching with the new TEKS standards, consider using comprehensive resources that provide various opportunities for students to interact with and think critically about primary and secondary sources!

My social studies curriculum is aligned with the 2024 standards and includes a variety of activities to help students practice these skills. The curriculum features:

  • Mini-Lessons with Discussion Questions: Encouraging whole-group discussions to apply social studies skills.
  • Exit Tickets: Allowing students to reflect and synthesize their learning independently.
  • Practice Activities with Primary and Secondary Sources: Including real artifacts and passages for students to analyze.
  • Unit Projects: Involving simulations where students research or solve problems and present their findings.

Learn more by clicking on the images below!

kirsten hammond

Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.

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