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).