Technology Applications Curriculum Requirements

A letter was sent to administrators dated February 12, 2004 announcing Senate Bill (SB) 815 which requires school districts, as a condition of accreditation, to provide instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which include the Technology Applications TEKS.

Required Curriculum: Technology Applications
Technology Applications is a required enrichment curriculum specified in TEC §28.002. This curriculum focuses on the teaching, learning, and integration of digital technology knowledge and skills across the curriculum, especially in the foundation areas, to support learning and promote student achievement. The state’s Technology Applications curriculum provides a vertical look at what is expected for students Prekindergarten through Grade 12. It prepares all students with a background for whatever they may choose to do today as well as in their future. The Technology Applications curriculum defines the technology literacy requirement for students and teachers specified in No Child Left Behind, Title II, Part D.

Digital technology literacy standards are specified through Technology Applications Prekindergarten guidelines and Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TA TEKS) for Grades K-12 in 19 TAC Chapter 126. There are benchmarks at Grades 2, 5, and 8. These standards are to be integrated throughout the curriculum in grades K-8 and expanded through specialized, focused courses in Grades 9-12. The Technology Applications TEKS are not to be taught in isolation; rather, they are an integral part of every classroom’s use of technology. In the standards in the core curriculum areas of English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, there are references to the use of technology throughout the standards. The importance of students meeting the technology literacy benchmarks for acquiring and integrating the Technology Applications TEKS across the curriculum are paramount in leading to success in meeting the curriculum goals for Texas students and meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind, Title II, Part D for technology literacy and integration.

The Texas Education Agency has additional information regarding the Technology Applications on its website.

Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Grades 9-12
Districts must offer at least four of the Technology Applications courses in 19 TAC Chapter 126. This clarification became effective September 1, 2001. There are multiple avenues of offering the Technology Applications courses including distance learning. Many schools have taken advantage of dual credit/concurrent enrollment in colleges and universities to provide instruction in the courses. The results of these efforts have been to make it possible to teach the Technology Applications courses when it may not have been possible in other ways, especially for small, rural schools.

Graduation Credit
All high school graduates are required to have one technology applications graduation credit under all graduation plans. The SBOE approved courses that count for the Technology Applications credit for each graduation plan are listed below.
In addition, any course credit required in this section may be satisfied through the provisions of Chapter 74, Subchapter C, Options.
§74.23 of this title (relating to Correspondence Courses and Distance Learning)
§74.24 of this title (relating to Credit by Examination)
§74.26 of (relating to Award of Credit)