Last Minute Alert: Proposed Changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills Guide.
Matthew R. Cowan, P.G., District IV Representative to the AIPG Texas Section Board, spoke last night to the Houston Geological Society’s Environmental and Engineering Group about proposed changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guide. He noticed that there were a few critical changes that the general public and specifically the geological community, should be aware of that affect the middle-school (6-8 grades) TEKS on topographic maps, and High School Courses with regards to fossil significance, etc. These areas are fundamental components of Earth Science (Geology).
We have just been made aware of the proposed changes. Comments are due by the end of day of Friday, December 16, 2016.
Mr. Cowan suggests that AIPG Texas Section membership be made aware of these issues and asks them to review the information below and to submit comments before the end of day Friday (December 16). He suggests that the recommendations of 4 (D), 9(C) under the “The strands for Grade 8 include:” with regards to topographic maps be not accepted. The rationale is that while satellite views are an important tool, a basic tool of earth science is the topographic map. Knowledge of this tool is the basis for other map tools in earth science including Satellite Views.
Suggest that the deletion of 7(b) under “Science concepts. The student knows evolutionary theory is a scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life. The student is expected to:” …. not be accepted on the basis that this change would eliminate the discussion of “analyze and evaluate scientific explanations concerning any data of sudden appearance, stasis, and sequential nature of groups in the fossil record”. A watered-down statement misses the mark as to the study of paleontology.
The following link will take you to the page that has the proposed Middle School and High School TEKS changes.
To provide you comments on these and any other matters contained therein, please go to TEKS website (here).
We thank Matthew for his vigilance on these matters. For questions, contact:
Matthew R. Cowan, P.G.
Terrain Solutions Inc.
Office: 713-467-2900
Cell: 713-818-3114