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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 1291

By: Geren

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties believe that the public school curriculum should foster the study of the democratic principles underlying the United States government and focus on events that meet a reasonable standard of historical significance. C.S.H.B. 1291 seeks to provide guidance on these issues.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

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

 

C.S.H.B. 1291 amends the Education Code to require the State Board of Education (SBOE) and each public school district to ensure that the public school curriculum emphasizes an understanding of the principles underlying the form of government of the United States and that 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. This requirement applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

 

C.S.H.B. 1291 includes among the required materials on the SBOE instructional material list material consistent with the purpose and guidelines of the bill's provisions and statutory provisions relating to curriculum fostering the continuation of the tradition of teaching United States and Texas history and the free enterprise system. This provision applies to instructional materials adopted by the SBOE on or after September 1, 2018.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 1291 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h-1) to read as follows:

(h-1)  To accomplish the primary purpose stated in Subsection (h), the State Board of Education and each school district shall 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;

(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 instructional time;

(3)  any issue included in the public school curriculum that is considered controversial is presented in a balanced manner that includes multiple viewpoints regarding the issue; and

(4)  any curriculum generated, purchased, or otherwise obtained by a district, including dual credit, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate social studies courses, is in compliance with the appropriate essential knowledge and skills requirements adopted under this section.

SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h-1) to read as follows:

(h-1)  To accomplish the primary purpose stated in Subsection (h), the State Board of Education and each school district shall 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 instructional time.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 31.023(a), Education Code, is amended.

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.

 

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

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

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.

 

 

SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.