What is the primary purpose of TEKS in planning an art curriculum for EC-12?

• A. TEKS define required knowledge and skills that guide grade-level objectives, activities, and assessments, ensuring alignment with standards and developmental appropriateness.
• B. TEKS are optional guidelines teachers may ignore.
• C. TEKS focus exclusively on high school curriculums.
• D. TEKS only specify assessment methods.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that TEKS set the required knowledge and skills students should learn, and they guide what teachers plan to teach, how students will practice, and how progress is assessed across grade levels. TEKS specify what students at each stage should know and be able to do in art, so curriculum planning is built around clearly defined objectives, appropriate activities, and meaningful assessments that measure growth. This keeps the program aligned with state standards and ensures the work is developmentally appropriate for learners from EC through 12th grade. TEKS are not optional guidelines, they apply to all grade levels, and they cover more than just how you assess— they define the learning goals and performance expectations that shape the entire curriculum.