The teaching of Texas history as a standalone subject continues to be a subject of controversy in Texas. That controversy was highlighted on Sept. 10 when the 15-member State Board of Education (SBOE) conducted a preliminary vote for a new history education format. The result was 8—7 in favor of decreasing focus on Texas history. In the intervening days between then and the official vote on Sept. 12, Will Hickman, one of the three Republican members who had sided with Democrats, flipped his vote, resulting in a format that would increase its focus on Texas history.
This ongoing state education controversy has centered around whether Texas history is significant enough to be taught individually and throughout a student’s education. As of this year, Texas schools teach Texas history in fourth and seventh grades. The SBOE had before them two format options labeled Option D.2 and Option G.
