Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics have been implemented in 42 states as of August 2015, a drop from 45 states at the end of 2013.
Texas legislators implemented House Bill 462 in 2013, which prohibits schools from adopting Common Core and maintains the existing education guidelines the state adheres to, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS.
Stephanie Williams, Fort Bend ISD director of teacher development, said staff members receive TEKS training via face-to-face sessions, in professional learning communities and through job-embedded training.
“The district provides ongoing professional learning to assist teachers with unpacking the TEKS, planning instruction aligned to the TEKS and to model research-based best practices in instruction,” she said.
According to Lauren Callahan, information specialist for the Texas Education Agency, the Texas education code states that the TEA board of directors must work with Texans to determine curriculum standards, and to implement a whole new curriculum like Common Core would cost the state billions of dollars.
“Teachers coming from other states have two challenges: learning to read and unpack the TEKS so that their instruction aligns to the rigor of the standards and supports a cohesive curriculum,” Williams said. “Another challenge is understanding the [State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness] testing system and how it serves as a measure of student knowledge of the TEKS.”
TEKS guidelines were first implemented in the mid 1990s, with updates incorporated when appropriate, Callahan said. Common Core was in its beginning phases in 2007.
“The Common Core State Standards were designed to ensure students graduated from high school ready for college and a career, and to be globally competitive,” said Carrie Heath Phillips, program director for College- and Career-Readiness Standards at the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Common Core sets standards for math and English language arts only. The TEKS curriculum accounts for all core subjects and classes such as foreign language, technology applications, fine arts and other electives.
“Standards are guidelines for what each child should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level,” Phillips said. “Standards do not determine the curriculum, or the lessons or specific tools teachers should use to help students reach the standards. Those decisions are left up to local school boards and educators at the local level.”
Similarly, in Texas, officials at the state level do not determine how teachers adhere to the TEKS in the classroom, as long as students are exhibiting signs of being prepared for the next grade level. Williams said the grade level where a TEKS is taught could vary.
“Fort Bend ISD has a standards-based curriculum meaning our curriculum is written using [TEKS] as its foundation to describe what students need to know and be able to do at a given grade level,” she said. “Understanding the depth and complexity of the TEKS is something all educators focus on as they seek to plan purposeful engaging instruction.”
Additional reporting by Amelia Brust
