By Elkins                                             H.C.R. No. 94
         77R3927 JLZ-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, Troubling incidences of deadly violence on our
 1-2     nation's school campuses in recent years, the increase in teenage
 1-3     pregnancy, and the prevalence of substance abuse among students all
 1-4     raise serious concerns about the emotional and psychological
 1-5     well-being of our children even as we worry about their very
 1-6     physical safety; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature took note of the widespread
 1-8     concern about increases in school violence and other forms of
 1-9     antisocial behavior when it rewrote the Texas Education Code in
1-10     1995 and incorporated the Safe Schools Act into Chapter 37 of the
1-11     new code; and
1-12           WHEREAS, While Chapter 37 begins by requiring school
1-13     districts to adopt and prominently post a student code of conduct,
1-14     its other provisions address the ability of school personnel to
1-15     respond to violence and other disruptive behavior after the fact,
1-16     and it does not provide guidance for campuses wishing to adopt a
1-17     positive, curricular approach toward the prevention of these
1-18     incidents; and
1-19           WHEREAS, The curriculum requirements and goals for the
1-20     state's public schools are set forth in Chapter 28 of the code, and
1-21     although the state emphasizes mastery of essential knowledge and
1-22     skills in specific academic areas, it also includes certain
1-23     requirements relating to good citizenship and recognizing the
1-24     importance of certain civic and societal values; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature recognizes the fact that the
 2-2     foundation of a strong, stable, peaceful society is the development
 2-3     of individuals of good character who are well-grounded in that
 2-4     society's core values and confident in their integral roles as
 2-5     productive members of that society; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, While much of the responsibility for instilling
 2-7     character in our nation's youth rests with each child's parents,
 2-8     our schools can play a pivotal role in reinforcing the values being
 2-9     taught in the home through a curriculum that treats the development
2-10     of personal character traits as a matter equally as important as
2-11     academic achievement; and
2-12           WHEREAS, By stressing the fundamental importance of values
2-13     such as honesty, integrity, respect for others as well as for one's
2-14     self, personal responsibility, cooperation, and civic-mindedness,
2-15     character education programs can help solve problems such as
2-16     student violence, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse and
2-17     assist in the improvement of academic performance in the process;
2-18     now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-20     hereby encourage local public and private school efforts to develop
2-21     and implement parent-supported community-based character and values
2-22     education programs; and, be it further
2-23           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies
2-24     of this resolution to the commissioner of education and the State
2-25     Board of Education.