The Texas State Board of Education has approved an early draft of new social studies standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, sparking controversy over how history and religion should be taught in classrooms. Critics argue that the current curriculum focuses too much on memorization rather than deeper understanding. Staci Childs, a Houston Democrat representing District 4 on the board, expressed concern that the proposed standards could limit students' learning about the experiences of people of color. The new standards would not take effect until the 2030–2031 school year.