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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to instruction in positive character traits and personal |
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skills in public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 29.906, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS AND PERSONAL SKILLS |
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INSTRUCTION. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 29.906(a), (b), and (c), Education |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive |
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character traits and personal skills into the essential knowledge |
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and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as |
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appropriate. |
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(b) The State Board of Education must include the following |
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positive character traits and personal skills: |
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(1) courage; |
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(2) trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, |
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punctuality, and loyalty; |
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(3) integrity; |
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(4) respect and courtesy; |
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(5) responsibility, including accountability, |
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diligence, perseverance, self-management skills, and self-control; |
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(6) fairness, including justice and freedom from |
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prejudice; |
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(7) caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, |
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consideration, patience, generosity, [and] charity, and |
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interpersonal skills; |
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(8) good citizenship, including patriotism, concern |
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for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making |
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skills, and respect for authority and the law; |
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(9) school pride; and |
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(10) gratitude. |
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(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school |
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must adopt a character education program that includes the positive |
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character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection (b). In |
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developing or selecting a character education program under this |
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section, a school district shall consult with a committee selected |
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by the district that consists of: |
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(1) parents of district students; |
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(2) educators; and |
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(3) other members of the community, including |
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community leaders. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2022-2023 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |