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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring cultural inclusion as part of the social |
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studies curriculum for public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (h-3) to read as follows: |
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(h-3) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the |
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social studies curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten |
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through grade 12, the State Board of Education shall adopt |
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essential knowledge and skills that include the cultural inclusion |
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curriculum developed under Section 28.0029. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 28.0029 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0029. CULTURAL INCLUSION CURRICULUM. (a) The |
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State Board of Education shall develop curriculum on cultural |
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inclusivity that a school district or open-enrollment charter |
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school shall use in the district's or school's social studies |
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courses. |
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(b) The curriculum must encourage: |
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(1) a student's sense of self; |
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(2) an acceptance of diversity through the |
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identification and exploration of differences; |
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(3) critical thinking about bias through the |
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identification and exploration of discrimination and stereotypes; |
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(4) empathy toward others; and |
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(5) advocating for oneself in the face of bias. |
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(c) In developing the curriculum under this section, the |
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State Board of Education shall consult with the agency and |
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appropriate stakeholders and may create a work group of volunteers |
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to make recommendations regarding the curriculum. |
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(d) The State Board of Education, the agency, and |
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appropriate stakeholders shall enter into a memorandum of |
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understanding that establishes each entity's respective |
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responsibilities in developing cultural inclusion curriculum that |
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reflects the cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of |
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society. |
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(e) Before finalizing the curriculum developed under this |
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section, the State Board of Education shall provide a reasonable |
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period for public comment. |
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(f) Subject to rules adopted by the State Board of |
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Education, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may |
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tailor the curriculum developed under this section as appropriate |
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for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the |
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instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from the |
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State Board of Education, the agency, community members, and other |
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interested individuals or organizations. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |