(a) Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 Content Standards. The content standards identified in this section are targeted for classroom teachers of early learners (birth through age eight). The standards address the discipline that deals with the content knowledge required to teach early learners. The standards address content knowledge in Prekindergarten-Grade 5, with an emphasis on Prekindergarten-Grade 3, in order to meet the needs of all learners and address vertical alignment. The standards align with the             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines,            Chapter 110 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading), Chapter 111 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics),  Chapter 112 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science), Chapter 113 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies), Chapter 115 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education), Chapter 116 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Physical Education), Chapter 117 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts), and The National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Preparation Standards.     
      (b) Child Development. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple  interacting influences on children's development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child. Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers must:      
        (1) know and understand young children's characteristics and needs, from birth through age 8;       
        (2) know and understand the multiple influences on early development and learning; and       
        (3) use developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.       
      (c) English Language Arts and Reading. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5  English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Emergent Early Literacy             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
      (d) Mathematics. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5 Mathematics TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Mathematics             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students'  development of grade-level skills.     
      (e) Science. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5 Science TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Science             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
      (f) Social Studies. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5 Social Studies TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Social Studies             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally  appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
      (g) Fine Arts, including Theatre, Art, and Music. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5 Theatre, Art, and Music TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Fine Arts             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
      (h) Health Education. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5  Health Education TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Physical Development             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
      (i) Physical Education. The Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 classroom teachers demonstrate understanding of Kindergarten-Grade 5 Physical Education TEKS, with an emphasis on Kindergarten-Grade 3, and Physical Development             Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines            and apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students' development of grade-level skills.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §235.13 adopted to be effective May 17, 2018, 43 TexReg 3093