Essential Knowledge and Skills
A district that offers kindergarten through grade 5 must provide instruction in the required curriculum as specified in 19 Administrative Code 74.1 (Essential Knowledge and Skills).
A district shall ensure that sufficient time is provided for teachers to teach and students to learn English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, health, physical education, technology applications, and to the extent possible, languages other than English.
19 TAC 74.2
Daily Physical Activity
A district shall require students in kindergarten through grade 5 to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year, as part of the district's physical education program or through structured activity during a campus's daily recess.
If a district determines, for any particular grade level, that requiring moderate or vigorous daily physical activity is impractical due to scheduling concerns or other factors, the district may as an alternative require a student in that grade level to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135 minutes during each school week.
A district must provide an exemption for a student who is unable to participate in the required physical activity because of illness or disability.
Education Code 28.002(l)
Grade 6 Fine Arts
A district that provides instruction for grade 6 in a self-contained elementary class as part of elementary school shall provide instruction for students in grade 6 in all of the Middle School 1 TEKS for art, dance, music, and theatre as specified in 19 Administrative Code Chapter 117. Education Code 28.002(c-1); 19 TAC 74.2(b)
Kindergarten-Grade 3 Reading Program
Each district shall adopt a phonics curriculum for kindergarten-grade 3 in accordance with 19 Administrative Code 74.2001. A phonics program that does not meet all criteria in 19 Administrative Code 74.2001(b)(1) may be used by a district if the program has a strong evidence base and is used in conjunction with a phonics program that meets all criteria. 19 TAC 74.2001; Education Code 28.0062(a)(1)
A district shall certify to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that the district prioritizes placement of highly effective teachers in kindergarten through second grade and has integrated reading instruments used to diagnose reading development and comprehension to support each student in prekindergarten through third grade. Education Code 28.0062(a)(3) [See DMA for early literacy personnel requirements]
Three-Cueing
"Three-cueing" means a method of reading instruction for identification of words by which a student is encouraged to draw on context and sentence structure to read words without sounding the words out or using a phonics-based approach.
A district may not include any instruction that incorporates three-cueing in the required phonics curriculum.
Education Code 28.0062(a-1)
