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July / August 2010
Volume 22, Number 4

News you can use

“Keys to the Courthouse” County Government Curriculum Guides Distributed to County Extension Offices, Schools for Classroom Use

This summer, county extension agents across Texas will present commissioners courts with a new curriculum guide designed to aid teachers in explaining the important facets of Texas county government.

“Keys to the Courthouse: A Curriculum Enrichment Program for Youth”is a 124-page leadership-oriented publication on county government produced through a partnership between TAC, the County Judges and Commissioner Association of Texas and the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, an arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Each county extension office received two copies: one to be presented to the commissioners courts and one for promotion for local social studies teachers in each county, focusing on seventh- and 12th grade government classes.

The PDF document is also available for downloading at TAC’s Texas Counties 4U Website, which includes videos explaining ways to obtain county services and other information about Texas county government.

The program features five lessons with associated, age-appropriate classroom and research activities. Each lesson includes information compatible with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements which teachers may use in their own lesson planning.”

County officials who wish to promote usage of the books in their local schools are encouraged to contact local principals and social studies teachers and urge them to use the 5-lesson curriculum.