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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring cultural inclusion curriculum as part of the |
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enrichment 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) cultural inclusion. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 28.0029 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0029. CULTURAL INCLUSION CURRICULUM. (a) The State |
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Board of Education shall develop curriculum on cultural inclusivity |
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that a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use |
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in the district's or school's cultural inclusivity courses. |
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(b) The curriculum must encourage: |
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(1) a student's sense of self; |
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(2) an acceptance of diversity through the |
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identification and exploration of differences; |
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(3) critical thinking about bias through the |
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identification and exploration of discrimination and stereotypes; |
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(4) empathy toward others; and |
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(5) advocating for oneself in the face of bias. |
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(c) In developing the curriculum under this section, the |
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State Board of Education shall consult with interested parties and |
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may create a work group of volunteers to make recommendations |
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regarding the curriculum. |
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(d) Before finalizing the curriculum developed under this |
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section, the State Board of Education shall provide a reasonable |
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period for public comment. |
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(e) Subject to rules adopted by the State Board of |
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Education, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may |
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tailor the curriculum developed under this section as appropriate |
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for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the |
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instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from the |
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State Board of Education, the agency, community members, and other |
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interested individuals or organizations. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 |
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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, 2023. |