By: Morales of Harris, Wu, Allen, Huberty, H.B. No. 1504
      J. Johnson of Harris, et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to ethnic studies instruction in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Each school district that offers kindergarten through
  grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
               (1)  a foundation curriculum that includes:
                     (A)  English language arts;
                     (B)  mathematics;
                     (C)  science; and
                     (D)  social studies, consisting of Texas, United
  States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on
  the free enterprise system and its benefits, [and] geography, and
  ethnic studies, including Mexican American and African American
  studies; and
               (2)  an enrichment curriculum that includes:
                     (A)  to the extent possible, languages other than
  English;
                     (B)  health, with emphasis on:
                           (i)  physical health, including the
  importance of proper nutrition and exercise;
                           (ii)  mental health, including instruction
  about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage
  emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
  responsible decision-making; and
                           (iii)  suicide prevention, including
  recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs;
                     (C)  physical education;
                     (D)  fine arts;
                     (E)  career and technology education;
                     (F)  technology applications;
                     (G)  religious literature, including the Hebrew
  Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on
  history and literature; and
                     (H)  personal financial literacy.
         SECTION 2.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require
  that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school
  program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students
  successfully complete:
               (1)  four credits in English language arts under
  Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one
  credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in
  an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in
  geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course
  authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (3)  three credits in science under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one
  credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (4)  three credits in social studies under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at
  least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
  economics, and one credit in ethnic studies, including Mexican
  American studies or African American studies, world geography, or
  world history;
               (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),
  (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language
  other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);
               (6)  five elective credits;
               (7)  one credit in fine arts under Section
  28.002(a)(2)(D); and
               (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
  credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
         SECTION 3.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended
  by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade
  during the 2022-2023 school year or a later school year. For
  students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2022-2023
  school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that section
  existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.