Texas Earth Science Task Force Works to Add Earth Science to High School Curriculum
On May 7, 2004, the State Board of Education adopted an amendment (below in red) to
the Texas School Curriculum Requirements that would change high school graduation requirements
to require four credits of science instead of three, starting in the fall, 2005. In addition to
the three traditional courses--one course of biology and two chosen from IPC, chemistry, and
physics--students will now take a fourth course, one of which can be Earth Science
(usually known as Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography, or GMO). This is undoubtedly
a significant change in Texas science education, now giving Science the same importance as that
held by English and Social Studies, of which students are also required to take four courses.
It is hoped that many or most high school students will choose Earth Science (GMO) as their fourth
science course, although they have the choice of several others.
6. Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum
Requirements, Subchapter E, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with
School Year 2004-2005 (Second Reading and Final Adoption)
The board on a 14-1 vote withdrew the rule that was preliminarily
adopted in February and gave tentative approval to a plan that
requires students who are following the Recommended Graduation Plan
or the Distinguished Achievement Plan to earn four credits of science
in order to graduate. Under this proposal, which will be considered
for final approval at the July 15-16th board meeting, a student must
receive one credit in a biology course and two credits from
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); a chemistry course, and/or a
physics class.
The student must then earn a fourth science credit from any of the
following courses:
(i) Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography (GMO);
(ii) Environmental Systems;
(iii) Aquatic Science;
(iv) Astronomy;
(v) Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems;
(vi) Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB)
Biology;
(vii) AP/IB Chemistry;
(viii) AP/IB Physics;
(ix) AP/IB Environmental Science; and
(x) Scientific Research and Design.
The change would be effective beginning with entering freshman in
the fall of 2005.
Staff Contact: Questions about this item should be directed to
the Curriculum Division at (512) 463-9581.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: Geology, Meteorology &
Oceanography. This document can also be downloaded as a four-page
PDF file. May 2, 2004
Geology, Meteorology & Oceanography Curriculum Guide (PDF Only!). This
extensive guide is 98 pages long and contains extensive resources, including the course's scope and
sequence, the course's TEKS curriculum requirements and TAKS requirements, lab and field materials,
required safety equipment, links to virtual field trips and resources on the Web, helpful agencies and
organizations, suggested research activities, suggested teaching guide, and suggested assessment
questions. May 2, 2004
Texas Science Education Leadership Association's (TSELA) Position Statement
supporting Earth Science as a core science. TSELA joins
the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) and the Texas Earth Science Teachers Association (TESTA)
in urging the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education to work together to designate earth
science based courses as one of the optional courses which will satisfy the third year of mandated science
instruction for high school graduation. This document can also be downloaded as a
four-page PDF file. May 2, 2004
(No) Earth Science in Texas
by Edward C. Roy Jr., Geotimes, September 2001.
Earth Science in Texas: A Progress Report
by Edward C. Roy Jr., Geotimes, September 2002.
Assessing Earth
Science in Texas by Edward C. Roy Jr., Geotimes, February 2004.
Battle Brewing Over Earth-Science Classes
in Texas Schools by Dave Ferman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 14, 2004.
Report of the Earth Science Task
Force, June 2003, presented to the State Board of Education.
Description of the Proposed Amendment to the Texas
State Board of Education establishing Earth Science as a core science credit course, February 27, 2004.
Text of the Proposed Amendment changing the graduation
requirements of high school students allowing Earth Science to be taken as a core science course.
(This document will download as a PDF file)
Earth Science Resources
The World Wide Web has many resources available for students of Earth Science.