������

The purpose of this communication is to provide guidance for school leaders and educators given the recent horrific and widely acknowledged allegations of sexual abuse committed by Cesar Chavez, especially in light of rapidly approaching events planned in many Texas school systems.

Some school systems in Texas may have planned events for what is recognized under as the optional holiday, Cesar Chavez Day (March 31). In alignment with Governor Greg Abbott’s , school systems in Texas should cancel or otherwise redirect events and activities tied to Chavez.  

Beyond optional holiday celebrations, under the currently adopted Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), students are required to learn about Chavez in multiple grades, including grade 5 and US History. Over the last year, the State Board of Education (SBOE) has been engaged in a process to re-write the Social Studies TEKS, and the recent allegations that have come to light will likely result in any student expectations explicitly focused on Chavez being removed moving forward. However, in alignment with the long-ago adopted TEKS, school systems in Texas currently have instructional materials and other learning activities focused on Chavez.

Given this, school systems in Texas should eliminate, modify and otherwise alter any learning activities, individual lessons, and ancillary materials to remove references to Chavez. While there are exceptions related to SBOE-adopted TEKS, Texas Education Code §28.0022(a)(1) provides that “a teacher may not be compelled to discuss a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs” and any related instructional materials that existed before these allegations became widely known would lead to conflicts with this statutory requirement.  

This letter serves as formal notice that the ������ (TEA) will not consider failure to teach any student expectation focused on Chavez as out of compliance with statutory requirements related to TEKS coverage.  

Furthermore, some Texas school systems receive technical assistance on matters of curriculum and instruction from TEA and from regional education service centers. To the extent your school system desires assistance navigating any necessary adjustments to instructional materials, the agency and the regional education service centers stand ready to provide support.

For questions related to instructional materials, please submit an . For questions related to the social studies TEKS, please submit a .