Why Geography Is Important

From crisis mapping to city planning, geographers provide critical insight and skills that are valued by employers and public sector policy-makers.

Geographers

• contribute to making choices about the best locations for businesses and services.
• manage natural resources including water, minerals, and natural gas.
• understand patterns of energy production and consumption.
• address human and natural threats to American safety and security.

Having a required high school course in geography sets the foundation for students to acquire the skills and abilities to use maps, imagery, and geospatial technologies to investigate signficant spatial and environmental issues.

For more information also watch Geospatial Revolution and visit the Grosvenor Center for Why Geography Is Important booklets.

Without geography, you're nowhere!

Update 6.5.2013

On May 27, HB 5 was approved by the House and the Senate and sent to Governor Perry. State Board of Education member Pat Hardy has developed a letter providing information related to HB5.

If you would like to express your opinion on this letter, please contact the following.

Dan.branch@house.state.tx.us Representative Branch

Candince.woodruff@house.state.tx.us Education contact for Representative Branch

Office 512-463-0367

Jimmie.aycock@house.state.tx.us Chair of the House Education Committee

Jenna.watts._hc@house.state.tx.us

Office -512-463-0684

Julie.linn@governor.state.tx.us

Governors office, 512-463-2000-this is a general number, ask for education or pending bills contact person.

Update 5.9.13

Today the Senate amendments version of HB 5 was posted. The foundation plan requires three social studies credits with one credit in United States history, at least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in economics, and one credit in world geography or world history.

The bill also proposes a combined world geography/world history course for the third social studies credit.

Update 4.30.13

The latest version of House Bill 5 no longer specifically includes world geography or world history in the foundation plan or in any endorsements. The foundation plan now requires one credit of US history, one-half credit in government, and one-half credit in economics, and one other unspecified credit. The number of endorsements has been reduced to only include STEM, Business & Industry, and Arts & Humanities and deletes Public Service and Multidisciplinary Studies, and the bill continues to propose five EOC exams. HB 5 has been placed on the Senate Intent Calendar with no specific date set at this time. bill text 

House Bill 2836 removes the 8th grade social studies assessment. bill text

Update 4.25.13

The latest version of House Bill 5 does not include world geography or world history in the foundation plan or in any endorsements. The number of endorsements has been reduced to only include STEM, Business & Industry, and Arts & Humanities and deletes Public Service and Multidisciplinary Studies, and the bill continues to propose five EOC exams. HB 5 has been placed on the Senate Intent Calendar with no specific date set at this time.

Dear TAGE supporters,

Recent legislation, specifically Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 5 has created a sense of urgency on our part. SB 3 proposes to create an option for students to either take world geography or world history for the Foundation High School Program (4x4). HB 5 identifies world geography as a required component for the Foundation High School program.

TAGE supports the inclusion of world geography as a requirement for high school graduation. I would like to include a few figures for you to consider regarding the importance of students taking world geography at the high school level.

Two studies, the Boston Consulting Group and Oxera Consulting Studies revealed results of the importance of continued investment in geographic education. Last year the geospatial industry generated $73 billion in revenue in the United States. Additionally, the studies estimate this industry to grow between 25-30% per year. If our state is looking to generate revenue and job growth opportunities, geographic education is a key component to see these two areas expand.

TAGE encourages you to contact your representatives by email or phone call in support of keeping world geography as a required course in the Foundation High School Program. Below is a link to access your state representatives. The 83rd Legislature meets for 140 days. The first 60 days are devoted to preparing and filing bills for consideration in various committees, and no voting can take place on these bills. March 11th is the first opportunity for elected officials to vote on education and other bills impacting the future of our children's education in Texas. Please take the time to voice your opinion before it's too late.
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx

Thank you for your support of geographic literacy in our great State of Texas.

Dr. Jo Beth Oestreich

Coordinator, Texas Alliance for Geographic Education