In this bonus episode of The Social Studies Teacher Podcast, I’m giving you a timely update on some major news out of Texas. The State Board of Education has officially voted on big changes to the K–8 Social Studies TEKS, shifting to a chronological approach and creating a brand-new framework for how we teach history, geography, government, and culture. It is expected that these standards are put into effect beginning 2030.

I’ll walk you through:

• The highlights of the SBOE’s September 2025 meeting
• How each grade (K–8) will change under the new proposal
• The move from 8 strands down to 5 strands
• The timeline for implementation (likely 2030)
• What this means for your classroom right now
• 
  

If you’re a Texas teacher (or just curious about curriculum changes), this episode will help you feel prepared and confident. And don’t worry- my Smart & Simple Social Studies resources are fully aligned with the current TEKS, and I’ll continue to update everything when the time comes!

Let's Connect!

Listen/watch on Youtube

Shop TPT Resources

Instagram

Website

Join the Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Social Studies Guided Notes

Get guided notes covering 5 common social studies topics that are low-prep and easy to use as reference guides, anchor charts, and more!

Grab the Free Guided Notes!

Social Studies Guided Curriculum

Easy-to-follow lesson plans and activities for social studies - just print and teach! The complete bundles for Communities, Texas History, and U.S. History are available. Click the link to learn more!

Learn more about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Guided Curriculum!