Texas has a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that focuses on the teaching and learning of technology skills. The Technology Applications curriculum is specified as a required enrichment curriculum in Texas Education Code, Section 28.002 and is not part of the Career and Technology Education curriculum. However, together the Career and Technology Education courses, Technology Applications secondary courses, and K-8 integrated curricular opportunities provide multiple options for students to obtain technology knowledge and skills.

Technology Applications TEKS are divided into grade clusters: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. There are benchmark years at grades 2, 5, and 8 and specific course requirements at grades 9-12. Students should be able to demonstrate applicable technology proficiencies before exiting targeted grades (2, 5, and 8). Although these grades are identified as benchmark points, all grade levels share the responsibility of preparing students to master the defined technology skills.

TA TEKS for grades K-2 require that students have an opportunity to use computers and gain basic technology skills such as inputting information, beginning touch keyboarding and becoming familiar with the computer. Students acquire information including text, audio, video and graphics; solve problems; and express ideas using word processing and multimedia tools. At grades 3-5 students learn proper keyboarding techniques; acquire information by selecting the most appropriate search strategies; use software programs with audio, video and graphics; solve problems using word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, simulations, multimedia and telecommunications; and use technology to communicate information to a variety of audiences.

Computer Literacy is the only state-identified Technology Applications course at the junior high level. In Arlington ISD either of two models is used on junior high campuses. The first model includes a one-semester computer literacy class. Students learn, demonstrate, and are evaluated on defined technology proficiencies. Class projects include content from subject-area curricula so that technology is used to accomplish academic tasks. Because of the number of students that need to be served, each junior high should have two computer literacy teachers. In the second AISD model, students are not enrolled in a specific computer literacy course. Instead, computer literacy teachers (preferably two per campus) are assigned the responsibility of monitoring and documenting mastery of defined proficiencies. Teachers in any subject area work with a computer literacy teacher to implement curriculum-related student projects that involve subject-area and TA TEKS.
 
Arlington ISD offers four state-defined Technology Applications courses at the high school level: Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Multimedia, and Web Mastering. Successful completion of any of these courses provides the Technology Applications graduation credit required of high school students in Texas. Additional advanced courses are available in Computer Science and Web Mastering for students who wish to continue studying those fields.

The K-12 Technology Applications TEKS are available at www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/126toc.htm. Resources to assist educators in implementing the Technology Applications curriculum are available from the Technology Applications Teacher Network.

The K-12 Technology Applications TEKS.
Resources to assist educators in implementing the Technology Applications curriculum.