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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain public school instructional requirements and |
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prohibitions and the incorporation of certain instructional |
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activities as part of student coursework. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 21.4555(a) and (b), Education Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) To facilitate the teaching of curriculum consistent |
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with Section [Sections] 28.002(h-2) [and 28.0022], the |
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commissioner shall develop and make available civics training |
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programs for teachers and administrators. |
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(b) A civics training program developed under this section |
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must include training in: |
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(1) the essential knowledge and skills for the social |
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studies curriculum related to civic knowledge adopted under Section |
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28.002(h-2); |
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(2) guided classroom discussion of current events, as |
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appropriate for the grade level [and consistent with the |
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restrictions under Section 28.0022]; |
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(3) classroom simulations and models of governmental |
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and democratic processes consistent with the requirements [and |
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restrictions] of Section [Sections] 28.002(h-2) [and 28.0022]; |
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(4) media literacy, including instruction on |
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verifying information and sources, identifying and responding to |
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logical fallacies, and identifying propaganda, as appropriate for |
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the grade level [and consistent with the restrictions under Section |
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28.0022]; and |
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(5) strategies for incorporating civics instruction |
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into subject areas other than social studies. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Section 28.0022, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0022. CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES PERMITTED |
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[REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS]. |
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SECTION 3. Section 28.0022(a), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) For any course or subject, including an innovative |
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course, for a grade level from kindergarten through grade 12,[: |
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[(1) a teacher may not be compelled to discuss a widely |
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debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or |
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social affairs; |
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[(2) a teacher who chooses to discuss a topic |
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described by Subdivision (1) shall explore that topic objectively |
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and in a manner free from political bias; |
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[(3)] a school district, open-enrollment charter |
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school, or teacher may, as an option for student learning [not |
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require], make part of a course, or award a grade or course credit, |
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including extra credit, for a student's: |
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(1) [(A)] work for, affiliation with, or service |
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learning in association with any organization engaged in[: |
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[(i)] lobbying for legislation at the |
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federal, state, or local level[, if the student's duties involve |
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directly or indirectly attempting to influence social or public |
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policy or the outcome of legislation]; or |
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(2) [(ii) social policy advocacy or public policy |
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advocacy; |
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[(B) political activism, lobbying, or efforts to |
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persuade members of the legislative or executive branch at the |
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federal, state, or local level to take specific actions by direct |
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communication; or |
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[(C)] participation in any internship, |
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practicum, or similar activity involving social policy advocacy or |
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public policy advocacy[; and |
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[(4) a teacher, administrator, or other employee of a |
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state agency, school district, or open-enrollment charter school |
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may not: |
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[(A) require or make part of a course inculcation |
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in the concept that: |
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[(i) one race or sex is inherently superior |
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to another race or sex; |
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[(ii) an individual, by virtue of the |
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individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or |
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oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; |
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[(iii) an individual should be |
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discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly |
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because of the individual's race or sex; |
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[(iv) an individual's moral character, |
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standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual's |
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race or sex; |
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[(v) an individual, by virtue of the |
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individual's race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for |
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actions committed by other members of the same race or sex; |
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[(vi) meritocracy or traits such as a hard |
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work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a |
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particular race to oppress members of another race; |
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[(vii) the advent of slavery in the |
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territory that is now the United States constituted the true |
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founding of the United States; or |
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[(viii) with respect to their relationship |
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to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than |
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deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to the |
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authentic founding principles of the United States, which include |
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liberty and equality; |
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[(B) teach, instruct, or train any |
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administrator, teacher, or staff member of a state agency, school |
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district, or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a concept |
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listed under Paragraph (A); or |
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[(C) require an understanding of the 1619 |
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Project]. |
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SECTION 4. Sections 28.0022(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and |
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(g), Education Code, are repealed. |
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SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 6. 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, 2023. |