H.B. 319 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 319 By: Grusendorf Public Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Instruction in the basic values that make today's society function and enable all citizens to live together productively and harmoniously is essential to the preservation of American society. Under current law, there are no public school objectives relating to the instruction of students concerning thoughtful, active citizenship and an appreciation for the collective values of the State of Texas and the United States. PURPOSE The purpose of House Bill 319 is to clarify that one of the objectives of public education and all educators in Texas is to prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 319 amends the Education Code with the addition of an objective of public education. This objective states that educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2003.