Bridging the Gap between Standards and Classroom Practice

History teachers in Texas face two daunting challenges. First, there are at least thirty-six relevant sets of standards that govern teaching and assessment. Second, the principal standards for secondary learning outcomes—the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)—have been shown to be inadequate in a number of ways. College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) were prepared by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board but the TEKS fall far short of reaching the college preparation standards. This presentation seeks to address both of the problems facing history teachers by exploring the landscape of standards and offering recommendations designed to connect classroom practice with college preparation.