Texas TEKS 7.13

7.13 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 7.13.A

  identify how the Texas Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular...

• 7.13.B

  compare the principles and concepts of the Texas Constitution to the U.S. Constitution, including the Texas and U.S. Bill of Rights.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students connect passages from the Texas Constitution to seven principles of government. They also compare how the Texas and U.S. constitutions organize power and protect individual rights.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given a constitutional excerpt, students name the principle and cite words that support their choice. They explain one accurate similarity and one difference between the two constitutions or their bills of rights.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often confuse federalism with separation of powers. They may connect republicanism to a political party or assume popular sovereignty means citizens vote on every law. Some think both bills of rights are identical.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Provide one Texas Constitution excerpt and ask, “Which principle does this show, and what words prove it?” Add one comparison with the U.S. Constitution.

1. 01

   Give pairs excerpt cards to sort under principle labels, then require a written reason for each placement.

2. 02

   Ask students to write which principle best prevents government abuse and support their choice with a constitutional example.

3. 03

   Play a principle matching relay using definition, example, and constitutional excerpt cards.

4. 04

   Trace a recent Texas law from voter concerns through the legislature, governor, and courts, labeling each constitutional principle involved.

• 7.14

  Government. The student understands the structure and functions of government created by the Texas Constitution. The student is expected to:

• 7.15

  Citizenship. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens in a democratic society. The student is expected to:

• 4.13

  Government. The student understands important ideas in historical documents of Texas and the United States. The student is expected to:

• 4.12

  Government. The student understands how people organized governments in different ways during the early development of Texas. The student is expected to: