87R3171 MLH-D
 
  By: Talarico H.B. No. 57
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to civics instruction in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.466 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.466.  CIVICS COURSE TRAINING. The agency shall
  advise school districts regarding training materials and resources
  for a school district to use in assisting educators to:
               (1)  develop civics projects and methods of teaching as
  described in Section 28.0022;
               (2)  understand and teach the relevance of:
                     (A)  public policy; and
                     (B)  the structure of federal, state, and local
  governments; and
               (3)  engage students in:
                     (A)  thinking critically;
                     (B)  working cooperatively;
                     (C)  identifying issues in the community; 
                     (D)  researching a problem, evaluating
  alternative outcomes, and developing a solution; and
                     (E)  creating public policy or action plans.
         SECTION 2.  Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Each school district that offers kindergarten through
  grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
               (1)  a foundation curriculum that includes:
                     (A)  English language arts;
                     (B)  mathematics;
                     (C)  science; and
                     (D)  social studies, consisting of Texas, United
  States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on
  the free enterprise system and its benefits, civics, and geography;
  and
               (2)  an enrichment curriculum that includes:
                     (A)  to the extent possible, languages other than
  English;
                     (B)  health, with emphasis on:
                           (i)  physical health, including the
  importance of proper nutrition and exercise;
                           (ii)  mental health, including instruction
  about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage
  emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
  responsible decision-making; and
                           (iii)  suicide prevention, including
  recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs;
                     (C)  physical education;
                     (D)  fine arts;
                     (E)  career and technology education;
                     (F)  technology applications;
                     (G)  religious literature, including the Hebrew
  Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on
  history and literature; and
                     (H)  personal financial literacy.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.0022 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0022.  CIVICS INSTRUCTION. (a) The essential
  knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum under
  Section 28.002 must include instruction in civics:
               (1)  at least once in grade four, five, six, seven, or
  eight; and
               (2)  as part of one or more courses offered at the high
  school level that satisfy graduation requirements under Section
  28.025.
         (b)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
  that offers a high school program shall provide an elective course
  in civics that meets the requirements for one credit in civics under
  Section 28.025(b-1)(4).
         (c)  The State Board of Education shall develop a civics
  curriculum as described by this section. The curriculum must be
  developed to:
               (1)  measure the civics learning objectives contained
  in the essential knowledge and skills for social studies;
               (2)  demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of
  the relevance of:
                     (A)  public policy; and
                     (B)  the structure of federal, state, and local
  governments; and
               (3)  include opportunities for students to engage in:
                     (A)  thinking critically;
                     (B)  working cooperatively;
                     (C)  identifying issues in the community;
                     (D)  researching a problem, evaluating
  alternative outcomes, and developing a solution; and
                     (E)  creating public policy or action plans.
         (d)  In implementing the curriculum described under this
  section, each school district or open-enrollment charter school
  shall develop a course of study that is project based. The course
  of study may take the form of a capstone project, portfolio, or
  presentation. The course of study must:
               (1)  use inquiry-based learning;
               (2)  focus on problem solving; and
               (3)  address an issue that is relevant to the students.
         (e)  Not later than September 1 of every even-numbered year,
  each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall
  submit to the agency a report that describes the projects developed
  through civics courses offered by the district or school.
         (f)  The agency shall adopt rules necessary to gather data
  and conduct research to substantiate any correlation between taking
  a civics course offered under this section and student achievement
  under Section 39.053.
         SECTION 4.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require
  that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school
  program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students
  successfully complete:
               (1)  four credits in English language arts under
  Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one
  credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in
  an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in
  geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course
  authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (3)  three credits in science under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one
  credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (4)  three credits in social studies under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at
  least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
  economics, and one credit in world geography, [or] world history,
  or civics;
               (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),
  (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language
  other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);
               (6)  five elective credits;
               (7)  one credit in fine arts under Section
  28.002(a)(2)(D); and
               (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
  credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
         SECTION 5.  Not later than September 1, 2022, each school
  district and open-enrollment charter school shall submit the
  initial report required under Section 28.0022, Education Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 6.  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, 2021.