SRC-MWN H.B. 946 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 946
77R8000 CAS-FBy: Telford (Cain)
Education
5/3/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Texas public schools provide an excellent opportunity to teach character
education and civic responsibility to children and adolescents. The
widespread implementation of character education programs may help reduce
disciplinary problems, improve the learning environment, and promote
student achievement without proselytizing or indoctrinating the students
concerning any specific religious or political belief. To be effective,
character education programs must incorporate ideas from the community.
H.B. 946 authorizes and encourages school districts to implement character
education programs after consulting with a committee consisting of
educators, parents, and other community members.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Chapter 29Z, Education Code, by adding Section 29.903, as
follows: 

Sec. 29.903. CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes a school district
to provide a character education program. 

  (b) Requires a character education program to include certain criteria.

(c) Requires a school district to consult with a committee selected by the
district that consists of certain persons. 

(d) Sets forth that this section des not require or authorize proselytizing
or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious or political belief. 

  (e) Requires the Texas Education Agency (agency) to perform certain
procedures. 

(f) Authorizes the agency to accept money from federal government and
private sources to use in assisting school districts in implementing
character education programs that meet the criteria prescribed by
Subsection (b). 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
school year. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.