BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1291
85R18735 MK-F	By: Geren et al. (Campbell)
	Education
	5/9/2017
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 1291 requires the State Board of Education and each public school district to ensure that the public school curriculum emphasizes an understanding of the principals underlying the form of government of the United States, including the study of the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers.

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H.B. 1291 ensures each historical event addressed in the public school curriculum meets a reasonable standard of historical significance in relation to the limited amount of available instructional time, and that any issue considered controversial is presented in a balanced manner that includes multiple viewpoints regarding the issue.

 

H.B. 1291 amends current law relating to the inclusion of American principles in the public school curriculum and instructional materials.

 

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. Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection (h-1), as follows:

 

(h-1) Requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) and each school district, to accomplish the primary purpose stated in Subsection (h) (relating to requiring SBOE and each school district to foster the teaching of United States and Texas history and the free enterprise system), to ensure that:

 

(1) the public school curriculum emphasizes an understanding of the principles underlying the United States form of government, including the study of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers; and

 

(2) each historical event addressed in the public school curriculum meets a reasonable standard of historical significance, in relation to the limited amount of available instruction time.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.023(a), Education Code, to provide that the required list of instructional materials includes certain instructional materials that meet applicable physical specifications adopted by SBOE, that contain material that is consistent with the purpose and guidelines of Sections 28.002(h) and (h-1), and that covers certain other elements.

 

SECTION 3. (a) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

 

(b) Provides that the changes in law made by this Act to Section 31.023(a), Education Code, apply to instructional materials adopted by SBOE on or after September 1, 2018.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.