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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to instruction in positive character traits in public |
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schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 29.906, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS INSTRUCTION [EDUCATION
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PROGRAM]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 29.906, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsection (g) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive |
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character traits into the essential knowledge and skills adopted |
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for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate [A school
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district may provide a character education program]. |
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(b) The State Board of Education must include the following |
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[A character education program under this section must:
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[(1) stress] positive character traits [, such as]: |
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(1) [(A)] courage; |
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(2) [(B)] trustworthiness, including honesty, |
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reliability, punctuality, and loyalty; |
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(3) [(C)] integrity; |
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(4) [(D)] respect and courtesy; |
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(5) [(E)] responsibility, including accountability, |
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diligence, perseverance, and self-control; |
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(6) [(F)] fairness, including justice and freedom |
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from prejudice; |
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(7) [(G)] caring, including kindness, empathy, |
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compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, and charity; |
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(8) [(H)] good citizenship, including patriotism, |
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concern for the common good and the community, and respect for |
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authority and the law; [and] |
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(9) [(I)] school pride; and |
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(10) gratitude[;
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[(2) use integrated teaching strategies; and
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[(3) be age appropriate]. |
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(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school |
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must adopt a character education program that includes the positive |
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character traits listed in Subsection (b). In developing or |
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selecting a character education program under this section, a |
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school district shall consult with a committee selected by the |
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district that consists of: |
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(1) parents of district students; |
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(2) educators; and |
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(3) other members of the community, including |
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community leaders. |
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(g) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as |
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necessary to implement this section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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* * * * * |