Texas Administrative Code
Title 19 - EDUCATION
Part 2 - TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
Chapter 126 - TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
Subchapter A - ELEMENTARY
Section 126.1 - Technology Applications, Kindergarten, Adopted 2022
Universal Citation: 19 TX Admin Code ยง 126.1
Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Implementation. The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
(1) No later than August 1, 2024,
the commissioner of education shall determine whether instructional materials
funding has been made available to Texas public schools for materials that
cover the essential knowledge and skills identified in this section.
(2) If the commissioner makes the
determination that instructional materials funding has been made available this
section shall be implemented beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and apply
to the 2024-2025 and subsequent school years.
(3) If the commissioner does not make the
determination that instructional materials funding has been made available
under this subsection, the commissioner shall determine no later than August 1
of each subsequent school year whether instructional materials funding has been
made available. If the commissioner determines that instructional materials
funding has been made available, the commissioner shall notify the State Board
of Education and school districts that this section shall be implemented for
the following school year.
(b) Introduction.
(1) Technology includes data communication,
data processing, and the devices used for these tasks locally and across
networks. Learning to apply these technologies motivates students to develop
critical-thinking skills, higher-order thinking, and innovative problem
solving. Technology applications incorporates the study of digital tools,
devices, communication, and programming to empower students to apply current
and emerging technologies in their careers, their education, and
beyond.
(2) The technology
applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) consist of five
strands that prepare students to be literate in technology applications by
Grade 8: computational thinking; creativity and innovation; data literacy,
management, and representation; digital citizenship; and practical technology
concepts. Communication and collaboration skills are embedded across the
strands.
(A) Computational thinking. Students
break down the problem-solving process into four steps: decomposition, pattern
recognition, abstraction, and algorithms.
(B) Creativity and innovation. Students use
innovative design processes to develop solutions to problems. Students plan a
solution, create the solution, test the solution, iterate, and debug the
solution as needed and implement a completely new and innovative
product.
(C) Data literacy,
management, and representation. Students collect, organize, manage, analyze,
and publish various types of data for an audience.
(D) Digital citizenship. Students practice
the ethical and effective application of technology and develop an
understanding of cybersecurity and the impact of a digital footprint to become
safe, productive, and respectful digital citizens.
(E) Practical technology concepts. Students
build their knowledge of software applications and hardware focusing on
keyboarding and use of applications and tools.
(3) The technology applications TEKS can be
integrated into all content areas and can support stand-alone courses.
Districts have the flexibility of offering technology applications in a variety
of settings, including through a stand-alone course or by integrating the
technology applications standards in the essential knowledge and skills for one
or more courses or subject areas.
(4) Statements containing the word
"including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the
phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
(1) Computational thinking--foundations. The
student explores the core concepts of computational thinking, a set of
problem-solving processes that involve decomposition, pattern recognition,
abstraction, and algorithms. The student is expected to:
(A) identify a problem or task such as making
a sandwich and break it down (decompose) into smaller pieces;
(B) identify simple patterns and make
predictions based on the patterns; and
(C) identify algorithms (step-by-step
instructions) using a sequential process such as first, next, then, and
last.
(2) Computational
thinking--applications. The student, with guidance from an educator, applies
the fundamentals of computer science. The student is expected to create a
sequence of code with or without technology such as solving a maze using
drag-and-drop programming or creating step-by-step directions for student
movement to a specific location.
(3) Creativity and innovation--innovative
design process. The student takes an active role in learning by using a design
process to solve authentic problems for a local or global audience, using a
variety of technologies. The student is expected to:
(A) practice personal skills, including
following directions, needed to successfully implement design processes;
and
(B) use a design process with
components such as asking questions, brainstorming, or story boarding to
identify and solve authentic problems with adult assistance.
(4) Data literacy, management, and
representation--collect data. The student defines data and explains how data
can be found and collected. The student is expected to:
(A) communicate an understanding that data is
information collected about people, events, or objects such as computer
searches and weather patterns; and
(B) communicate with adult assistance the
idea that digital devices can search for and retrieve information.
(5) Digital citizenship--social
interactions. The student identifies appropriate ways to communicate in various
digital environments. The student is expected to identify and demonstrate
responsible behavior within a digital environment.
(6) Digital citizenship--ethics and laws. The
student recognizes and practices responsible, legal, and ethical behavior while
using digital tools and resources. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate acceptable use of digital
resources and devices as outlined in local policies or acceptable use policy
(AUP); and
(B) communicate an
understanding that all digital content has owners.
(7) Digital citizenship--privacy, safety, and
security. The student practices safe, legal, and ethical digital behaviors to
become a socially responsible digital citizen. The student is expected to:
(A) identify ways to keep a user account
safe, including not sharing login information and logging off accounts and
devices; and
(B) identify and
discuss what information is safe to share online such as hobbies and likes and
dislikes and what information is unsafe such as identifying
information.
(8)
Practical technology concepts--skills and tools. The student demonstrates
knowledge and appropriate use of technology systems, concepts, and operations.
The student is expected to:
(A) use a variety
of applications, devices, and online learning environments to engage with
content;
(B) identify basic
computer hardware, including a variety of input and output devices, and
software using accurate terminology;
(C) perform software application functions
such as opening an application and modifying, printing, and saving digital
artifacts using a variety of developmentally appropriate digital tools and
resources;
(D) practice
ergonomically correct keyboarding techniques and developmentally appropriate
hand and body positions; and
(E)
identify, locate, and practice using keys on the keyboard, including letters,
numbers, and special keys such as space bar and backspace.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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