Texas Board of Education adopts new social studies, history guidelines for primary schools

Texas board adopts new primary school curriculum

AUSTIN, Texas — The State Board of Education has adopted new social studies and history guidelines for Texas primary school classrooms.

The board voted Friday 9-5 on the kindergarten-through-eighth grade standards. The board had already voted to approve the changes to the high school curriculum.

The standards have been given a more conservative bent by the board. They dictate how political events and figures will be taught to some 4.8 million schoolchildren in Texas and beyond for the next decade.

The standards also will be used by textbook publishers who often develop materials for other states based on those approved in Texas.

The debate has brought national attention, including testimony from educators, civil rights leaders and a former U.S. education secretary.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The State Board of Education has adopted new social studies and history guidelines for Texas high school classrooms.

The board voted Friday 9-5 on the high school standards. Final edits were being made on the elementary school curriculum.

The standards have been given a more conservative bent by the board. They dictate how political events and figures will be taught to some 4.8 million schoolchildren in Texas and beyond for the next decade.

The standards also will be used by textbook publishers who often develop materials for other states based on those approved in Texas.

The debate has brought national attention to the effort, which this week featured testimony from educators, civil rights leaders and a former U.S. education secretary.