• Technology Applications Student Standards for EC-12: Prekindergarten Guidelines and K-12 TEKS

    Technology Applications Prekindergarten Guidelines

    Grades PreK
    Prekindergarten guidelines for Technology Applications were made available to schools in December 1999. They articulate what three- and four- year old students should know and be able to do using technology.

    Technology Applications TEKS (K-12)

    The Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) found in 19 TAC Chapter 126 describe what students should know and be able to do using technology. These TEKS are to be used when providing instruction in Technology Applications. The goal of the Technology Applications TEKS is for students to gain technology-based knowledge and skills and to apply them to all curriculum areas at all grade levels. These TEKS are organized by grade clusters for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 with benchmarks at Grades 2, 5, and 8 and organized by courses at Grades 9-12. There are four common strands for Grades K-12: Foundations, Information Acquisition, Work in Solving Problems, and Communication.
     
    Grades K-2
    Students gain basic skills such as inputting information, beginning touch keyboarding and becoming familiar with the computer. Using technology, students access information that can include text, audio, video, and graphics. They use computers and related technology to make presentations and prepare projects for foundation curriculum areas.

    Grades 3-5
    Students use proper keyboarding techniques and acquire information by selecting the most appropriate search strategies. Students use word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, simulations, multimedia, and telecommunications. They solve problems and communicate information in various formats and to a variety of audiences and evaluate their results.

    Grades 6-8
    Students become fluent in using multiple software applications and applying them across the curriculum. They build on the Grades 3-5 knowledge and skills. The students continue to demonstrate keyboarding proficiency in technique and posture while building speed. The TEKS can be taught integrated into other areas (such as English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science), as a separate class, or both.

    Grades 9-12
    Students have a variety of options from the adopted courses which allow for growth, specialization, integration into other curriculum areas, and preparation for the technological world. The high school courses in Technology Applications, Chapter 126 include:
    Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, Web Mastering, and Independent Study in Technology Applications.

    Enrichment TEKS Required

    SB 815 was passed during the 78th Legislative Regular Session in 2003 and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry. SB 815 mandates, as a matter of accreditation, that school districts use the TEKS when teaching all of the required curriculum (foundation and enrichment content areas). Prior to the passage of SB 815, the TEKS were required for the foundation content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies; but were simply "guidelines" for the enrichment content areas including technology applications. This legislation is now reflected in Section 28.002(c) of the Texas Education Code (TEC) and in TAC 74.1(b), Subchapter A. Frequently Asked Questions on 19 TAC Chapter 74 Amendments-Senate Bill 815are found on the Curriculum Website.
     
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