(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.
(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:
(2) Computational thinking--applications. The student applies the fundamentals of computer science. The student is expected to:
(3) Creativity and innovation--innovative design process. The student takes an active role in learning by using a design process and creative thinking to develop and evaluate solutions, considering a variety of local and global perspectives. The student is expected to:
(4) Creativity and innovation--emerging technologies. The student demonstrates a thorough understanding of the role of technology throughout history and its impact on societies. The student is expected to:
(5) Data literacy, management, and representation--collect data. The student uses advanced digital strategies to collect and represent data. The student is expected to:
(6) Data literacy, management, and representation--organize, manage, and analyze data. The student uses digital tools to transform data, make inferences, and predictions. The student is expected to use digital tools in order to transform data to analyze trends and make inferences and predictions.
(7) Data literacy, management, and representation--communicate and publish results. The student creates digital products to communicate data to an audience for an intended purpose. The student is expected to use digital tools to communicate and display data from a product or process to inform or persuade an intended audience.
(8) Digital citizenship--social interactions. The student understands different styles of digital communication and that a student's actions online can have a long-term impact. The student is expected to:
(9) 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:
(10) 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:
(11) Practical technology concepts--processes. The student evaluates and selects appropriate methods or techniques for an independent project and identifies and solves common hardware and software problems using troubleshooting strategies. The student is expected to choose a variety of digital tools to create, share, and communicate digital artifacts.
(12) Practical technology concepts--skills and tools. The student leverages technology systems, concepts, and operations to produce digital artifacts. The student is expected to:
Source Note: The provisions of this §126.18 adopted to be effective August 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 4518