88R2239 ANG-D
 
  By: Bernal H.B. No. 97
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain public school instructional requirements and
  prohibitions and the incorporation of certain instructional
  activities as part of student coursework.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 21.4555(a) and (b), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To facilitate the teaching of curriculum consistent
  with Section [Sections] 28.002(h-2) [and 28.0022], the
  commissioner shall develop and make available civics training
  programs for teachers and administrators.
         (b)  A civics training program developed under this section
  must include training in:
               (1)  the essential knowledge and skills for the social
  studies curriculum related to civic knowledge adopted under Section
  28.002(h-2);
               (2)  guided classroom discussion of current events, as
  appropriate for the grade level [and consistent with the
  restrictions under Section 28.0022];
               (3)  classroom simulations and models of governmental
  and democratic processes consistent with the requirements [and
  restrictions] of Section [Sections] 28.002(h-2) [and 28.0022];
               (4)  media literacy, including instruction on
  verifying information and sources, identifying and responding to
  logical fallacies, and identifying propaganda, as appropriate for
  the grade level [and consistent with the restrictions under Section
  28.0022]; and
               (5)  strategies for incorporating civics instruction
  into subject areas other than social studies.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 28.0022, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0022.  CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES PERMITTED
  [REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS].
         SECTION 3.  Section 28.0022(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  For any course or subject, including an innovative
  course, for a grade level from kindergarten through grade 12,[:
               [(1)  a teacher may not be compelled to discuss a widely
  debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or
  social affairs;
               [(2)  a teacher who chooses to discuss a topic
  described by Subdivision (1) shall explore that topic objectively
  and in a manner free from political bias;
               [(3)]  a school district, open-enrollment charter
  school, or teacher may, as an option for student learning [not
  require], make part of a course, or award a grade or course credit,
  including extra credit, for a student's:
               (1) [(A)]  work for, affiliation with, or service
  learning in association with any organization engaged in[:
                           [(i)]  lobbying for legislation at the
  federal, state, or local level[, if the student's duties involve
  directly or indirectly attempting to influence social or public
  policy or the outcome of legislation]; or
               (2)  [(ii)  social policy advocacy or public policy
  advocacy;
                     [(B)  political activism, lobbying, or efforts to
  persuade members of the legislative or executive branch at the
  federal, state, or local level to take specific actions by direct
  communication; or
                     [(C)]  participation in any internship,
  practicum, or similar activity involving social policy advocacy or
  public policy advocacy[; and
               [(4)  a teacher, administrator, or other employee of a
  state agency, school district, or open-enrollment charter school
  may not:
                     [(A)  require or make part of a course inculcation
  in the concept that:
                           [(i)  one race or sex is inherently superior
  to another race or sex;
                           [(ii)  an individual, by virtue of the
  individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or
  oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
                           [(iii)  an individual should be
  discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly
  because of the individual's race or sex;
                           [(iv)  an individual's moral character,
  standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual's
  race or sex;
                           [(v)  an individual, by virtue of the
  individual's race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for
  actions committed by other members of the same race or sex;
                           [(vi)  meritocracy or traits such as a hard
  work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a
  particular race to oppress members of another race;
                           [(vii)  the advent of slavery in the
  territory that is now the United States constituted the true
  founding of the United States; or
                           [(viii)  with respect to their relationship
  to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than
  deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to the
  authentic founding principles of the United States, which include
  liberty and equality;
                     [(B)  teach, instruct, or train any
  administrator, teacher, or staff member of a state agency, school
  district, or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a concept
  listed under Paragraph (A); or
                     [(C)  require an understanding of the 1619
  Project].
         SECTION 4.  Sections 28.0022(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and
  (g), Education Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 5.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         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, 2023.