Science Update
Texas Regional Collaboratives
March 4, 2008
House Bill 1
79th Texas Legislature 3rd Called Session
SECTION 5.02. Section 28.025, Education Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require
that:
(1) the curriculum requirements for the recommended
and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a)
include a requirement that students successfully complete four
courses in each subject of the foundation curriculum under
Section 28.002(a)(1); and
(2) one or more courses offered in the required
curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school
programs include a research writing component.
4x4 Graduation Requirements
Effective beginning with
students who enter Grade 9
in 2007
Science
Recommended Program
Science – four credits. One credit must be a biology credit
(Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International
Baccalaureate (IB) Biology). Students must choose the
remaining two credits from the following areas. Not more
than one credit may be chosen from each of the areas to
satisfy this requirement.
(A) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC);
(B) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry; and
(C) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB
Physics
Science
Recommended Program
IPC cannot be taken as the final or fourth year of science,
but must be taken before the senior year of high school. The
fourth year may be selected from the laboratory-based
courses listed in 19 TAC Chapter 112 with the addition of
Engineering and Earth and Space Science.
The SBOE may designate additional courses at a later point
in time.
Recommended Program
IPC Phase-out
A student entering Grade 9 beginning with the 2012-2013
school year must take three science credits at least one
from each category, from the following areas:
(A) Biology, AP Biology, IB Biology
(B) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry;
(C) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics,
or IB Physics
The fourth year of science may be selected from the
laboratory-based courses listed in 19 TAC Chapter 112
Recommended Program
Fourth Year Science Courses
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Astronomy
Aquatic Science
Environmental Systems
Earth and Space Science
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
AP Environmental Science
IB Biology
IB Chemistry
IB Physics
IB Environmental Systems
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Scientific Research and Design
Anatomy and Physiology of
Human Systems
Medical Microbiology and
Pathophysiology
Engineering
Concurrent enrollment in college
courses
The SBOE has directed the TEA to
write new TEKS for the courses in
red
Science
Distinguished Achievement
Program
Science—four credits. The credits must consist
of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced
Placement (AP) Biology, or International
Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit
(Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a
physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or IB
Physics), and an additional approved
laboratory based science course.
* Principles of Technology deleted
Science
Distinguished Achievement
Program
After successful completion of biology, chemistry, and physics a
student may select the fourth credit from the following courses:
Earth and Space Science;
Environmental Systems;
Aquatic Science;
Astronomy;
Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems;
AP/IB Biology; AP/IB Chemistry; AP/IB Physics;
AP Environmental Science; IB Environmental Systems
Scientific Research and Design; and
Engineering
www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum
Science Lab Grant
Program
 Authorized under Sec. 7.062 TEC, as added by HB
2237, 80th Legislature
 TEA is currently working to adopt rules for this program
 If sufficient excess funds are available in appropriations,
then Commissioner can certify up to $20 million annually
for this program.
 TEA has determined that $20 million is available for this
fiscal year.
 Questions? Contact: Gary B. Marek,
gary.marek@tea.state.tx.us
Science TEKS Review
• The Science TEKS for each grade and course
K-12 are scheduled for review
• 2008 Meetings:
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K-8 Review Committees, January 10-12
High School Courses, January 31-Februay 2
Earth and Space Science and Engineering, April 3-5
CTE courses, April 17-19
Note: Additional Meetings and follow-up
telecommunications opportunities will be scheduled
as needed.
It All Starts With the
TEKS!
The Science
TEKS
Instructional
Materials
Must Meet
ALL TEKS to
be
Conforming
Assessed Science
Curriculum:
TAKS based on
TEKS
Schedule: Proposed Timeline
• 2008 Review of Science TEKS
• Summer/Fall 2009 Science TEKS Professional
development
• Spring 2009 Call for Science Instructional Materials
• 2010-11 Implement Science TEKS
• November 2011 Adopt Science Instructional
Materials
• 2012-13 Science Instructional Materials in schools
Science TEKS Review Process
• The State Board of Education (SBOE)
oversees all aspects of the TEKS,
including revisions
• … the board may not adopt rules that
designate the methodology used by a
teacher or the time spent by a teacher or a
student on a particular task or subject.
• What does this mean in terms of Science
TEKS review?
Status: The Science TEKS were
first implemented in 1998
• What has changed since 1998?
– Assessments at Grades 5 and 8, 10 as per
NCLB, Exit Level TAKS
– The 4X4 Graduation Requirements
– End-of-Course Examinations in Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics
– A National Focus on Science Education
– Science knowledge has changed—e.g.
‘continental drift’ Gr. 8, ‘domains’ in Biology
Work Group
Responsibilities
and Tasks
RESOURCES PROVIDED
• Copy of standards from other states
• Benchmarks for Science Literacy and
NSES
• NAEP 2009 Science Frameworks
• Report from Vertical Teams: College
Readiness Standards (CRS) for
Science.
Notification of Public Review
• To receive notification of opportunities for
public review of the Science TEKS
revisions and TEKS for new science
courses, go to www.tea.state.tx.us/list and
sign up for the “Rules’ listserv.
The Road to TEKS Revision . . .
Our role is to
assure that
Texas has a
world-class set
of Science
Education
Standards!
Who to Contact:
Curriculum Division
512-463-9581
Irene Pickhardt
Assistant Director of Science
Irene.pickhardt@tea.state.tx.us
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