Texas Social Studies Framework - Department of Geography ...

Preface
Although all of public education prepares students for the responsibilities of citizenship, we know that
the goal of providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume their roles as leaders
in our state and nation in the 21st century rests primarily with the social studies. The Texas Social
Studies Framework offers guidelines for local districts as they work to implement the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies in order to meet this important goal.
Texas Social Studies Framework provides information that local administrators and teachers can use to
plan a comprehensive social studies program for Kindergarten through Grade 12. The framework
reflects legislative mandates, State Board of Education policies, and developments in social studies
education that have occurred since the issuance of the previous social studies framework in 1986.
This publication is the result of work by the staff of the Social Studies Center for Educator Development
and the Social Studies unit of the Division of Curriculum and Professional Development at the
Texas Education Agency. They were assisted in their efforts by educators in school districts and
education service centers across the state, members of various professional organizations, personnel in
institutions of higher education, and interested lay citizens. We thank all of these people for their
feedback, advice, and support in the development of the Texas Social Studies Framework.
Sincerely,
MIKE MOSES
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION