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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring disability studies as part of the enrichment |
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curriculum for public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Each school district that offers kindergarten through |
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grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum: |
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(1) a foundation curriculum that includes: |
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(A) English language arts; |
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(B) mathematics; |
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(C) science; and |
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(D) social studies, consisting of Texas, United |
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States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on |
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the free enterprise system and its benefits, and geography; and |
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(2) an enrichment curriculum that includes: |
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(A) to the extent possible, languages other than |
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English; |
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(B) health, with emphasis on: |
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(i) physical health, including the |
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importance of proper nutrition and exercise; |
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(ii) mental health, including instruction |
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about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage |
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emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and |
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responsible decision-making; and |
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(iii) suicide prevention, including |
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recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs; |
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(C) physical education; |
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(D) fine arts; |
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(E) career and technology education; |
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(F) technology applications; |
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(G) religious literature, including the Hebrew |
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Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on |
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history and literature; [and] |
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(H) personal financial literacy; and |
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(I) disability studies. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 28.0022 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0022. DISABILITY STUDIES. (a) In this section, |
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"ableism" means discrimination in favor of able-bodied persons. |
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(b) The Texas essential knowledge and skills and, as |
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applicable, Section 28.025 shall include instruction in disability |
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studies in: |
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(1) social studies instruction in kindergarten |
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through grade eight; and |
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(2) one or more courses offered for high school |
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graduation. |
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(c) Each school district and each open-enrollment charter |
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school that offers a high school program shall provide an elective |
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course in disability studies that meets the requirements for a |
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one-half elective credit under Section 28.025, using materials |
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approved by the State Board of Education. |
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(d) The instruction in disability studies must include |
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information regarding: |
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(1) disability identity; |
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(2) disability culture; |
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(3) the social model of disability; |
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(4) the disability rights movement; |
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(5) past and present leaders in the field of |
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disability; |
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(6) federal and state law affecting persons with |
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disabilities; |
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(7) exerting self-determination; |
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(8) engaging in self-advocacy; and |
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(9) concepts and theories to combat ableism. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 |
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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, 2021. |