ATC Texas Curriculum Standards (TEKS) 3

Question 1

What is the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills distinction between 'readiness standards' and 'supporting standards'?

Accepted Answer

Readiness standards are critical for success in current and future grades; supporting standards build foundational skills for readiness standards

Answer

Readiness standards represent the most critical content with high future instructional leverage, while supporting standards build skills that contribute to but are not as central to long-term success.

Question 2

Why is it important for ATC teachers to unpack the TEKS before writing unit assessments?

Accepted Answer

To identify the verbs, nouns, and cognitive demand of each standard so assessments accurately measure intended learning

Answer

Unpacking TEKS by analyzing verbs (skills) and nouns (content) clarifies what students must know and do, ensuring that assessments align with the true cognitive demand of the standard.

Question 3

Which Texas program provides TEKS-based instructional materials free to all Texas schools?

Accepted Answer

Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) / HB 3 Adoption

Answer

Through the Instructional Materials Allotment and the HB 3 high-quality materials initiative, TEA provides funding and approved TEKS-aligned materials to all Texas districts at no cost.

Question 4

Which resource tool does TEA provide to help teachers understand the depth and complexity of each TEKS?

Accepted Answer

TEKS Clarification Documents and STAAR Performance Level Descriptors

Answer

TEA publishes TEKS clarification documents and STAAR Performance Level Descriptors that explain what mastery looks like at each proficiency level for every assessed standard.

Question 5

In Texas, who has the authority to add local curriculum requirements beyond the TEKS?

Accepted Answer

Local school districts may add requirements but cannot reduce or omit any TEKS

Answer

Texas districts may supplement the TEKS with additional local curriculum requirements, but they cannot eliminate any TEKS student expectations, which are the minimum required curriculum.

ATC - Alternative Teacher Certification Texas Practice Test

ATC - Alternative Teacher Certification Texas Practice Test

ATC Texas Curriculum Standards (TEKS) 3