In Texas, English Language Arts (ELA) is an integral part of the educational framework known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). It defines what students should learn in reading, writing, speaking, and listening at each grade level. TEKS serves as a guide for curriculum development and instructional practices in Texas schools. Additionally, it is important to understand how ELA standards were assessed under the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) before it was replaced by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Let’s explore both TEKS and TAKS in the context of ELA.

1. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

TEKS outlines the required learning objectives for students from kindergarten through high school in various subjects, including English Language Arts. Here’s what it encompasses:

  • Reading: TEKS specifies the skills students should develop in reading comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. Students are encouraged to analyze different genres of literature and understand elements such as theme, character development, and plot structure.

  • Writing: The standards cover various aspects of writing, including narrative, expository, persuasive, and analytical writing. Students learn how to organize their ideas clearly and use proper grammar and syntax.

  • Speaking and Listening: TEKS emphasizes the importance of effective communication skills. Students engage in discussions, present ideas clearly, and listen critically to others.

  • Research: ELA standards also include research skills where students learn to gather information from multiple sources, evaluate credibility, and synthesize data into coherent presentations or essays.

2. Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)

TAKS was the previous state assessment used to measure student achievement in Texas. It evaluated students’ understanding of the TEKS standards across various subjects. Here’s how it related specifically to ELA:

  • Assessing Reading Comprehension: The TAKS included multiple-choice questions that assessed students’ ability to read and understand passages from different genres. Students were tested on their skills to interpret literary texts, identify main ideas, and draw conclusions.

  • Evaluating Writing Skills: The TAKS writing component required students to write essays that demonstrated their ability to organize thoughts coherently, use appropriate vocabulary, and apply correct grammar and punctuation.

  • Performance Standards: To ensure that students were meeting grade-level expectations set by TEKS, TAKS established performance levels—passing rates that indicated whether students were ready for the next educational stage.

3. Transition from TAKS to STAAR

In 2012, TAKS was replaced by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). STAAR builds on the foundation laid by TEKS but introduces a more rigorous approach to assessment through a variety of question formats—including open-ended responses that require deeper analysis.

In summary, ELA within TEKS establishes clear expectations for reading, writing, speaking, and listening that guide instruction in Texas schools. Meanwhile, TAKS served as an assessment tool that measured student performance against those standards until it transitioned to STAAR. Understanding these components helps provide clarity on how English Language Arts education is structured and evaluated in Texas classrooms.

3rd Grade Texas Teks Essential Knowledge

Map of 3rd Grade English

The English language arts and reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) show how listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking are all connected. There are seven parts called strands that help students build language skills, understand what they read, write better, and learn how to research. These strands focus on talking well, reading real books, and writing thoughtfully to make sure students in Texas can read and write effectively. The strands build on each other, getting more complex as students grow, so they can think critically and keep up with changes in language and literacy.

The seven parts of the TEKS for English language arts and reading work together to help students learn how to use language in different ways. They cover listening, speaking, reading, and writing to help students learn how to talk and write well. Even though some parts may need more time to teach, each one is important and can be taught in any order throughout the year. Learning to spell (encoding) and read (decoding) go hand in hand. Reading becomes easier when students also practice writing. Students should talk about what they learn, write regularly, read every day, and listen to stories to improve their skills across all subjects.

  • The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English language arts and reading emphasize the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking.
  • There are seven integrated strands within the TEKS focusing on foundational language skills, comprehension, response, multiple genres, author's purpose and craft, composition, and inquiry and research.
  • The strands aim to enhance academic oracy, authentic reading experiences, and reflective writing to promote literacy in Texas.
  • Students progress through the integrated and progressive strands, developing knowledge and skills with increasing complexity to foster critical thinking and adaptability in language and literacy.
  • The TEKS strands are designed to be interwoven for instructional purposes and are recurring in nature.
  • These strands encompass language domains like listening, speaking, reading, and writing to boost students' social and academic language proficiency.
  • While some strands may need more teaching time, all strands hold equal importance and can be taught in any sequence throughout the year.
  • Encoding (spelling) and decoding (reading) skills are reciprocal, with decoding improving when students engage in tactile and kinesthetic encoding activities.
  • Students are encouraged to participate in academic conversations, engage in regular writing activities, read daily, and listen to stories to enhance their skills across various subjects.
  • The goal is to equip students with robust language abilities, critical thinking skills, and adaptability in an ever-evolving linguistic landscape.