Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

Texas, United States

The TEKS are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do in each subject and grade level in Texas public schools. They provide a consistent educational framework that guides curriculum development, instructional practices, and the state's standardized assessment system (STAAR).

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

The TEKS are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do in each subject and grade level in Texas public schools. They provide a consistent educational framework that guides curriculum development, instructional practices, and the state's standardized assessment system (STAAR).

Governing Body: Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board of Education (SBOE)

Year Adopted: 2017 (ELAR), 2012 (Math), 2021 (Science), 2022 (Social Studies)

Grade Levels Covered

Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, English I-IV, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, World History, US History

English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)

Kindergarten

110.2.b.2 Foundational Language Skills

The student develops word-level and text-level skills by using letter-sound relationships, decoding, and spelling.

Key skills: Phonological awareness, Letter-sound relationships, Decoding VC and CVC words, High-frequency word recognition
110.2.b.6 Comprehension Skills

The student uses metacognitive skills to both develop and deepen comprehension of increasingly complex texts.

Key skills: Establishing purpose for reading, Generating questions, Making and confirming predictions, Creating mental images

Grade 3

110.5.b.9 Multiple Genres

The student recognizes and analyzes genre-specific characteristics, structures, and purposes within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse texts.

Key skills: Distinguishing between fiction and non-fiction, Identifying plot elements, Analyzing character traits, Recognizing poetic structures

English I (High School)

110.36.c.4 Response Skills

The student responds to an increasingly challenging variety of sources that are read, heard, or viewed.

Key skills: Writing multi-paragraph responses, Using text evidence to support claims, Paraphrasing complex ideas, Comparing themes across texts

Mathematics

Kindergarten

111.2.b.2 Number and Operations

The student applies mathematical process standards to understand how to represent and compare whole numbers, the relative position and magnitude of whole numbers, and relationships within the numeration system.

Key skills: Counting to 100, Representing numbers with objects, Comparing sets, Identifying coins

Grade 5

111.7.b.3 Number and Operations

The student applies mathematical process standards to develop and use strategies and methods for positive rational number computations in order to solve problems with efficiency and accuracy.

Key skills: Adding and subtracting fractions, Dividing whole numbers, Multiplying decimals, Simplifying expressions
111.7.b.10 Personal Financial Literacy

The student applies mathematical process standards to manage one's financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security.

Key skills: Defining income tax, Distinguishing gross vs net income, Balancing a budget, Identifying record-keeping systems

Algebra I (High School)

111.39.c.2 Linear Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

The student applies the mathematical process standards when using properties of linear functions to write and represent in multiple ways, with and without technology, linear equations, inequalities, and systems of equations.

Key skills: Determining domain and range, Calculating rate of change, Writing linear equations in slope-intercept form, Solving systems of equations

Science

Grade 1

112.2.b.6 Force, Motion, and Energy

The student knows that energy exists in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.

Key skills: Identifying light energy sources, Observing heating and cooling effects, Predicting motion of objects

Grade 8

112.20.b.6 Matter and Energy

The student knows that matter has chemical and physical properties and can undergo chemical and physical changes.

Key skills: Identifying atoms and subatomic particles, Using the Periodic Table, Recognizing chemical reactions, Calculating density
112.20.b.9 Earth and Space

The student knows that natural events can impact Earth systems.

Key skills: Predicting lunar phases, Modeling the solar system, Analyzing plate tectonics, Interpreting weather maps

Biology (High School)

112.34.c.6 Science Concepts (Genetics)

The student knows the mechanisms of genetics such as the role of nucleic acids and the principles of inheritance and variation.

Key skills: Explaining DNA structure, Predicting outcomes with Punnett squares, Identifying types of mutations, Explaining protein synthesis

Social Studies

Grade 4

113.15.b.2 History

The student understands how individuals, events, and issues related to the history of Texas from the early beginning to the present day have shaped our state.

Key skills: Summarizing the Texas Revolution, Identifying Native American groups in Texas, Explaining the impact of the oil industry, Describing the cattle drive era

Grade 7

113.19.b.14 Government

The student understands the basic principles of the Texas Constitution and the structure and functions of the state government.

Key skills: Identifying the three branches of state government, Explaining the concept of checks and balances, Differentiating between state and local government responsibilities

US History (High School)

113.41.c.7 History (Cold War)

The student understands the impact of significant national and international decisions and conflicts in the post-World War II era.

Key skills: Describing the containment policy, Analyzing the Cuban Missile Crisis, Explaining the impact of the G.I. Bill, Identifying the significance of the Space Race

Implementation Notes

TEKS are implemented through local district curricula. Teachers use 'Scope and Sequence' documents to ensure all standards are covered before state testing windows. Implementation often includes 'Celebrate Freedom Week' and 'Constitution Day' as mandated by state law. New Science TEKS (Adopted 2021) and Social Studies TEKS (Revised 2022) are being fully integrated into classrooms for the 2024-2025 school year.

Assessment

Student mastery is assessed via the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Testing occurs in Grades 3-8 for Math and Reading; Grades 5 and 8 for Science; Grade 8 for Social Studies; and via End-of-Course (EOC) exams for English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History.

About This Standard
Added:
January 13, 2026

This standard was generated using AI with grounded search to find official, accurate information. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important details with official sources.

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