85R7634 SRS-D
 
  By: Anchia H.B. No. 1817
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to elective courses in ethnic studies for middle 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 COURSES IN ETHNIC STUDIES. (a) A
  school district may offer to middle and high school students one or
  more English language arts or social studies elective courses in
  ethnic studies that comply with curriculum standards adopted under
  Subsection (b) or (c).
         (b)  The State Board of Education shall adopt separate
  content-based curriculum standards for each of the following ethnic
  studies courses:
               (1)  Mexican American studies;
               (2)  African American studies;
               (3)  Native American studies; and
               (4)  Asian American studies.
         (c)  The State Board of Education may adopt separate
  content-based curriculum standards for additional ethnic studies
  courses not specified in Subsection (b).
         (d)  The curriculum standards must:
               (1)  include:
                     (A)  key historical figures, events, and dates;
  and
                     (B)  information regarding the ethnic group's
  contributions to society; and
               (2)  be reviewed by academic experts with knowledge in
  the relevant ethnic studies field before final adoption by the
  State Board of Education.
         SECTION 2.  The State Board of Education shall adopt
  curriculum standards for ethnic studies courses as required by
  Section 28.0111, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later
  than the date that permits school districts to offer ethnic studies
  courses that comply with the curriculum standards 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.