Relating to requiring disability studies as part of the enrichment curriculum for public schools.
If enacted, HB828 will require public educational institutions to revise their curricula to include topics such as disability identity, disability culture, the social model of disability, and the disability rights movement. This inclusion aims to foster understanding and awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and promote social justice in educational settings. Additionally, it aims to combat ableism by educating students about advocacy and self-determination for individuals with disabilities.
House Bill 828 aims to integrate disability studies into the public school curriculum in Texas. It proposes amendments to the Education Code, making disability studies a mandatory component of the enrichment curriculum provided by school districts for kindergarten through grade 12. The bill includes provisions for younger students, mandating that social studies instruction from kindergarten through eighth grade includes elements of disability studies, and it requires high schools to offer an elective course on this subject, which will count for credit towards graduation.
There may be points of contention regarding implementation, particularly concerning how schools will adapt existing curricula to incorporate these new requirements. Critics of similar bills might raise concerns about resource allocation, teacher training, and the effectiveness of adding such a subject to an already packed educational agenda. Proponents, however, assert that teaching these principles is crucial for fostering inclusion and respect among all students, which can ultimately lead to a more accepting society.