1. Contemporary Issues in Texas
©2012, TESCCC
Grade 7 Unit 13, Lesson 1

2. Population
Based on the data on the graph, which issue will be most affected?
Education
Health Care
Transportation
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2013). U.s. and texas population by age, 2006 [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

3. Population
Texas Population Growth, 1980 – 2040
Population Projections, in millions
What is the growth rate of the Texas population between 1980 and 2040?
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2013). Texas population growth, 1980–2040 [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

4. Immigration Where are most people living who have immigrated to Texas?
Infer the type of jobs immigrants will find in these regions.
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2009). Estimated international migration (2000‐2008) by county as a percentage of 2000 population [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

5. Education What are your thoughts about the
Fiscal Year
Texas Ranking
Texas Avg. Expenditure Per Pupil
U.S. Avg. Expenditure Per Pupil
Difference
1999 25
$5,970
$6,251
($281)
2000 29
$6,325
$6,824
($499)
2001 32
$6,581
$7,296
($715)
2002
$6,850
$7,548
($698)
2003 34
$7,210
$8,065
($855)
2004 36
$7,214
$8,308
($1,094)
2005 40
$7,142
$8,618
($1,476)
Consider a discussion on the Feb 2012 court decision that ruled the Texas system of financing schools unconstitutional. This case will likely be appealed.
Source: Texas State Comptroller
What are your thoughts about the
financing of Texas education?
Source: Texas State Comptroller
©2012, TESCCC

6. Limited Water Resources
What are ways Texans have adapted or modified to drought conditions?
Image source:
U.S. Drought Monitor. (Designer). (2011). U.s. drought monitor: Texas [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

7. Alternative Energy Sources
Most wind farms are located in which Texas region?
Image source:
Office of the Governor. (Artist). (2012). Texas wind farm locations [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

8. Boom and Bust Industries
What are two booming industries?
Were these industries important at the turn of the 20th century?
What are two industries that are declining?
Do you think they will continue to decline? Why?
Image source:
Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. (Artist). (2011, November). Texas employment growth by industry, [Web Graphic].
©2012, TESCCC

9. Texas Economy National and International
Why are Texas exports profitable goods?
To which continent does Texas export most of its goods?
Image source (all):
Texas Economic Development Division. (Artist). (2011). Trade & export: International trade [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC