For many, the difference between TEKS and TAKS is confusing. For Dr. Steve Forsythe, the distinction is quite clear -- especially as he serves on a committee charged with rewriting the TEKS curriculum standards for the public schools' agriculture programs.

Forsythe, ag science instructor and FFA adviser for Lampasas High School, was one of a select panel named to work on restructuring the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills -- which contain the state-mandated curriculum standards that establish what each student should know and be able to do.

On the other hand, TAKS, or Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, is state-required testing in specific subjects to assess students' knowledge. Students also must pass exit-level TAKS tests to graduate from high school.

Forsythe's focus is on updating the TEKS curriculum requirements for Career and Technical Education courses.

In addition, he seeks to assist in increasing local and statewide agreements with colleges and universities for CTE courses. The panelists also have been asked to recommend courses to fulfill the new fourth math and science credits mandated by the Texas Legislature for high school seniors.

Committee members are to make recommendations to the State Board of Education by Sept. 1, 2009, and the board proposes to implement the new TEKS at the start of the 2010-11 school year.

Forsythe was selected for the task by Gail Lowe, State Board of Education member who represents 25 Central Texas counties (including Lampasas) and a portion of Bell County.

Mrs. Lowe said she nominated the local teacher because Lampasas has a statewide reputation for its ag science and FFA programs. "And Dr. Forsythe works well with students and community members. He is an asset to the community."

Rewriting the TEKS was necessitated by the recent passage of House Bill 3485.

That legislation endeavors to update career and technical programs and make them more relevant for students who plan to seek employment in those fields, as well as working to satisfy the fourth-year math and science credit.

"We are seeking to identify those courses that will be rigorous and have a relevance to maintain standards that reflect national standards and Texas college readiness standards," said Forsythe.

"It has been interesting and challenging. We are sorting through a variety of recommendations for developing courses suited for a fourth-year math or science class," he said. "We have narrowed down the recommendations, and I feel comfortable that the committee will endorse courses that have the rigor and high standards necessary for our youths to succeed."

The TEKS rewriting panel has met several times over the past few months and plans to meet again Oct. 9-11 in Austin.

"Dr. (Brant) Myers (LISD superintendent), (Principal) Brandon Stiewig and school administrators have been very supportive of me attending the meetings," said Forsythe.

"They realize how important it is to the school district to have a strong ag and career and technology program."

The 10-person panel consists of a cross-section of the agriculture field and agribusiness community.

"Serving on this panel has reenergized me as a teacher," said Forsythe. "It has made me proud of Texas as we continue to improve and strengthen programs for our kids. Our leaders agree that our programs have to have the rigor and relevance in what will be taught and what the ag industry is looking for when our students graduate."

Said Forsythe: "This is a good group that brings individual perspectives, and each brings an aspect of expertise in their field. State Board of Education members agree it is important to have experts in their respective fields helping to set the standards."

Not only did Forsythe work on the panel, but he selected Lee Loeffler, president of Texas Land Bank in Lampasas, to work with him in a curriculum-aligning session.

"He helped us see what young people should be taught from the industry perspective to prepare them for post-secondary school attendance and for the work world," said Forsythe. "He gave some very valuable input."

And Mrs. Lowe, said Forsythe, does a good job of asking questions.

"She wants to stay informed as the process continues. I think that is important as well, because it shows how important educational success is to her.

"This has been a real learning experience for me. The State Board of Education could say what we are doing is not what they want, but they seem to be real pleased so far with our recommendations."

Forsythe said his group will be ready in October to review recommendations for the fourthyear math or science courses the panel believes will have the high expectations they want students to have.

"I think we are making a difference, and it will prepare Texas kids for educational success and a wide-open job market. That's what it's all about," he said.

"These standards will have the rigor and relevance necessary so that when our students go from Lampasas High School to college, they will seamlessly fit in and be ready for their post-secondary education and be better prepared to get that four-year degree."