Middle and high school math teachers in Texas, this post is for you!

Khan Academy is thrilled to introduce our new math courses for the 2024-25 school year, which have been thoughtfully aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Spanning 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as well as Algebra 1, these courses are designed to provide robust, comprehensive support tailored to meet Lone Star state-specific educational goals. 

To complement these courses, we have also developed comprehensive teacher guides to accompany each unit. Our math Teacher Guides are designed to enrich the teaching experience by providing insights into common student misconceptions and strategies to address them, clear lesson objectives, effective implementation strategies, teaching tips, and engaging classroom activities. These guides will be released late July, 2024.

Keep scrolling to see what makes these courses and teacher guides unique and why they are indispensable resources for Texas educators.

5th Grade: Streamlined integration and enhanced engagement

Our 5th-grade course is meticulously structured to align with the TEKS standards, ensuring that every lesson is standards-aligned and that the course has comprehensive coverage of all 5th grade TEKS standards. For example, to meet the TEKS emphasis on understanding decimals, the course includes comprehensive modules on decimals, blending conceptual explanations with practical problem-solving exercises. Moreover, the course introduces interactive tools that make learning more engaging. Visual representations for geometry and number sense help students grasp complex concepts, such as using digital number lines to explore fractions. These tools make abstract concepts tangible and foster deeper understanding.

6th Grade: Critical thinking and adaptability

In addition to alignment with TEKS standards, our 6th grade TEKS mathematics course cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Each unit presents scenarios that require students to apply their mathematical knowledge to complex problems, preparing them for higher-level math and real-world challenges. 

Additionally, the course offers adaptable teaching methods to cater to diverse learning preferences. With a rich assortment of video lessons, interactive exercises, and articles, teachers can customize their instruction to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring that all students can engage with and understand the material effectively.

7th Grade: Real-world applications and financial literacy

In 7th grade, students will explore modeling constant rates of change through one- and two-variable linear equations, enhancing their understanding of proportional relationships. The course connects various representations—contexts, tables, graphs, and algebraic equations—to illustrate how each form supports comprehension of linear relationships. Practical applications, such as temperature changes or vehicle speeds, help bring these concepts to life. Furthermore, the course introduces composite areas and volumes using engaging geometrical figures, and it emphasizes proportional reasoning within financial literacy, equipping students with critical life skills in financial management.

8th Grade and Algebra 1: Deep conceptual understanding and dynamic tools

Our 8th-grade course continues to offer streamlined integration with TEKS standards, ensuring that each standard is comprehensively addressed. For instance, TEKS standards on writing one-variable equations are covered with detailed instructional videos and exercises that focus on conceptual understanding. Interactive tools, such as drop-downs, numerical input, and interactive graphs, make learning more engaging and effective.

The Algebra 1 course takes these approaches a step further with dynamic learning tools, including interactive graphs, in-depth articles, videos, and worked solutions. This course offers clear TEKS-aligned learning progressions, building from basic to complex concepts to ensure a coherent learning experience. The adaptable use cases of this material—whether for introducing new topics, reinforcing classroom concepts, or as assignable homework—make it a thorough support system for every phase of your students’ learning journey.

Integrating Khan Academy’s TEKS-aligned math courses into your classroom can help your students meet the rigorous expectations of the TEKS standards. Our new courses, alongside the comprehensive teacher guides(coming soon!), provide structured learning and practical teaching support. See how these new courses and guides can transform your math instruction and boost student achievement in the upcoming school year.

Let’s work together to empower Texas students with the skills and confidence they need to excel in mathematics and beyond.

Iman

Group Manager, STEM Content 

Khan Academy