By: Bernal H.B. No. 366

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an elective course in ethnic studies for middle school, junior high school, and high school students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.0111 to read as follows:

Sec. 28.0111. ELECTIVE COURSE IN ETHNIC STUDIES. (a) In this section, "advisory committee" means the ethnic studies

advisory committee.

(b) A school district shall offer an elective course in ethnic studies to students in middle school, junior high school, and high school. The course provided to high school students must meet the requirements for a one-half elective credit under Section 28.025.

(c) The commissioner shall create an ethnic studies advisory committee that consists of ten to fifteen members serving a term of two years, including at least one representative from the following:

(1) a middle school teacher with experience in ethnic studies;

(2) a high school teacher with experience in ethnic studies;

(3) a professor from a Texas public institution of higher education who specializes in ethnic studies;

(4) a professor from a Texas private institution of higher education who specializes in ethnic studies;

(5) a professor from a Texas Community College who specializes in ethnic studies;

(6) a member of a community based organization who is an expert in the field of ethnic studies;

(7) a member of a professional association relating to ethnic studies; and

(8) a parent of a middle or high school student with demonstrated interest in ethnic studies.

(d) A member of the advisory committee serves at the will of the commissioner.

(e) The advisory committee shall prepare and periodically update model curricula for ethnic studies courses for review and consideration by the State Board of Education. The model curricula for ethnic studies courses must provide:

(1) proposed grade-level appropriate instruction for students in middle school, junior high school, or high school;

(2) recommended resources and educational materials for ethnic studies courses; and

(3) proposed training for teachers of ethnic studies.

(f) Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, the advisory committee shall prepare a report addressing ethnic studies courses taught in this state for middle school, junior high school, and high school students. The report must:

(1) review and evaluate ethnic studies courses offered in the state;

(2) address the use of ethnic studies model curricula developed by the advisory committee;

(3) provide best practices for ethnic studies courses;

(4) provide areas of improvement for ethnic studies courses; and

(5) evaluate current educational research on ethnic studies courses.

(g) The advisory committee shall provide the proposed model curricula and report to the:

(1) governor;

(2) lieutenant governor;

(3) speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives; and

(5) State Board of Education.

SECTION 2. A school district shall provide the elective course required by Section 28.0111, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

SECTION 3. 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.