Geo-Ed Policy

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 dedicated K-12 geography courses sets the foundation for students to acquire the skills and abilities to use maps, imagery, and geospatial technologies to investigate significant 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!

Geography in Texas 2018 UPDATED (PDF, 1 MB)

Update on enrollment, policy, and APHG in 2017-18.

Geography in Texas Edu 2017 (PDF, 824 KB)

Update on enrollment, policy, and APHG in 2016-17.

Texas HS Geography Course Options (PDF, 268 KB)

2018 Update. Overview of high school geography course options in Texas.

Changes to AP and IB 2015 (PDF, 99 KB)

TEA clarification on TEKS in the APHG & IB courses.

Reasons for 4 Years of Social Studies (PDF, 379 KB)

Reasons for students to take four years of high school social studies.

State Board Of Education

Visit the SBOE website at https://tea.texas.gov/sboe/

Expand or Collapse all.

2016
- Summaries
2015
- Summaries
- Changes to AP and IB Social Studies Courses
  Social Studies Communications
  Texas Education Agency
  September 10, 2015
  
  In November 2014, the SBOE adopted revisions to the TEKS for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) social studies courses that meet social studies graduation requirements.
  
  Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the following courses are now required to address the TEKS for the corresponding course:
  - AP Human Geography
  - AP World History
  - AP U.S. History
  - AP U.S. Government
  - IB History: Americas
  - IB Geography, Standard Level
  - IB Geography, Higher Level
  The amended rules can be accessed in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter113/ch113d.html.
  
  Please note that because the TEKS-based and AP/IB courses will now address the same set of TEKS, a student can no longer earn state credit for both courses. For example, a student who has earned credit for World History Studies may not earn state credit for an AP World History course completed in the 2015-2016 school year and beyond.
  
  The exception to this is AP Human Geography. SBOE rules allow students to take AP Human Geography for either one-half credit (as a state elective credit) or one credit (to satisfy the World Geography requirement). As of the 2015-2016 school year, the one-credit AP Human Geography course must provide instruction in the TEKS for World Geography, and students would not be able to earn credit for both World Geography Studies and the one-credit AP Human Geography course. The one-half credit AP Human Geography course is not required to address the TEKS for World Geography, so students will still be permitted to earn credit for World Geography Studies and the one-half credit AP Human Geography course.
2014
- SBOE Summaries
- Proclamation 2015
  
  TEA Accepting State Review Panel Nominations for Proclamation 2015 - includes Social Studies
  
  Deadline is January 24
  
  The Texas Education Agency is now accepting nominations to the state review panels that will evaluate instructional materials (including Social Studies and World Geography) submitted for adoption under Proclamation 2015. TAGE strongly encourages its members to apply for this opportunity. Learn more
- 2014.01 SBOE & HB5

83rd Legislative Session/2013
- 2013.09 HB 5 Website
- 2013.08 SBOE Update
  
  The State Board of Education is seeking input from educators and community members as it begins to restructure graduation requirements to address recent changes in state law.
  
  The board will hold a public hearing Sept. 17 in room 1-104 of the Travis State Office Building in Austin to receive input from educators and others about the changing graduation requirements. "We encourage you to submit specific suggestions as to the course offerings that will give school districts the flexibility mandated in HB5 that is intended to meet all students' post secondary goals," said Barbara Cargill, chair of the State Board of Education. After the public hearing, Texas Education Agency staff will craft a proposed rule dealing with graduation requirements.
  
  Look for a special email with TAGE's comments on this upcoming meeting.
  
  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/news_release.aspx?id=25769806561
- 2013.06 HB 5 Update
  
  Governor Perry signed HB 5. The high school foundation plan on requires three social studies credits, one credit is either world geography or world history. It also added a third option to satisfy the credit with language "the State Board of Education shall adopt criteria to allow a student to comply with curriculum requirements for the world geography or world history credit under Subsection (b-1)(4) by successfully completing a combined world history and world geography course developed by the State Board of Education." TAGE has concerns about the combined course and will work with our TCs to develop a response. Please let us know if you have any questions.
- 2013.06 HB 5 Update
  
  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.
- 2013.05 HB 5 Update
  
  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.
- 2013.04 HB 5 Update
  
  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.
- 2013.04 HB 5 and HB 2836
  
  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
- 2013.04 HB 5 and SB 3 Update
  
  As the Texas Legislature continues, House Bill 5 has become the omnibus education legislation which proposes changes to the EOC testing and the 4x4 graduation plan. On March 27, it overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives. HB 5 proposes a new Foundation plan to include three social studies credits, instead of the existing four, requiring 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. At this time HB 5 also proposes five endorsements (STEM, Business & Industry, Public Service, Arts & Humanities, and Multidisciplinary Studies) and the State Board of Education will develop the curriculum requirements for each endorsement, along with participation of educators and business and industry representatives.
  
  On Tuesday, April 16, there was a public hearing for HB 5 with the Senate Education Committee. As of today there is no update. Please continue to monitor the calendar for HB 5 and Senate Bill 3 and stay involved.
- 2013.03 HB 5 and SB 3 Update
  
  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

Geo-Ed Policy

TEKS Streamlining

Reports

Why Geography Is Important

Without geography, you're nowhere!

State Board Of Education

2016

Summaries

2015

Summaries

Changes to AP and IB Social Studies Courses

2014

SBOE Summaries

Proclamation 2015

TEA Accepting State Review Panel Nominations for Proclamation 2015 - includes Social Studies

2014.01 SBOE & HB5

83rd Legislative Session/2013

2013.09 HB 5 Website

2013.08 SBOE Update

2013.06 HB 5 Update

2013.06 HB 5 Update

2013.05 HB 5 Update

2013.04 HB 5 Update

2013.04 HB 5 and HB 2836

2013.04 HB 5 and SB 3 Update

2013.03 HB 5 and SB 3 Update

Texas Alliance for Geographic Education