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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding culturally |
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inclusive curriculum reflecting the cultural, linguistic and |
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religious diversity of society. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Cultural Inclusion |
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Act. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Sec. 28.021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.021. INSTRUCTION REGARDING CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE |
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CURRICULUM. |
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(a) In this section: |
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(1) "Board" means the State Board of Education |
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(2) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency. |
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(b) The board, agency, and stakeholders shall enter into a |
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memorandum of understanding that establishes the respective |
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responsibilities in developing instruction, including curriculum |
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and instructional modules, on culturally inclusive curriculum |
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reflecting the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of |
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society. The instruction must include information regarding: |
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(1) Fostering each child's sense of self-identity; |
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(2) Fostering acceptance of diversity among people by |
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allowing children to ask about and explore the differences; |
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(3) Encouraging critical thinking about bias by |
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helping children to identify acts of discrimination and stereotypic |
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images in their world; |
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(4) Encouraging empathy towards others; and |
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(5) Fostering each child's ability to stand up for |
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themselves and others in the face of bias. |
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(c) In developing the instruction under this section, the |
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board and the agency may consult with any interested party, |
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including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making |
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recommendations regarding the instruction. |
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(d) Before finalizing any instruction under this section, |
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the board and the agency shall provide a reasonable period for |
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public comment. |
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(e) Subject to rules adopted by the board, a school district |
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or open-enrollment charter school may tailor the instruction |
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developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or |
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school 's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or |
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school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies, |
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driver training schools, and the community. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |