C.S.H.B. 1172 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1172
By: Madden
Public Education
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND

There is a growing concern among those involved with the public education
system in Texas that the social studies curriculum is increasingly coming
under the influence of special interest groups with distinctly defined
agendas that often times do not consider historical facts. As these groups
have gained in influence so too has the push towards an ever more narrowly
defined political correctness that undermines the provisions set out in
Texas Education Code 28.002 (h) requiring that free enterprise,
patriotism, democracy and American national heritage be integrated into
each appropriate textbook approved by the State Board of Education. 


PURPOSE 

The purpose of C.S.H.B. 1172 is to codify two sections of the Education
Code relating to curriculum decisions. By integrating these two sections
under a coherent system, school curriculum decision-makers will be better
informed and in compliance with state law. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly grants rulemaking
authority to the State Board of Education in SECTION 1 (Section 31.0221,
Education Code) of this bill.  


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1172  authorizes the State Board of Education (board) to provide
for a textbook review process by the board to determine compliance with
the requirements of the public school curriculum of preparing thoughtful,
active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism and can
function productively in a free enterprise society with an appreciation
for the basic democratic values of our state and national heritage. The
bill authorizes the State Board of Education to reject a textbook if it
does not comply with this criteria. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1172 modifies the original by authorizing the State Board of
Education to reject a textbook that does not conform to the current
curriculum standards as set forth in Section 28.002(h) rather than
amending Section 28.002(h).