Relating to a policy adopted by a school district or open-enrollment charter school regarding the expression of dates.
Effective from the 2025-2026 school year, this bill will affect both the manner in which dates are taught and the materials selected for curriculum purposes. Schools will be prohibited from purchasing or utilizing any educational materials that deviate from this specified way of expressing dates, potentially influencing the content of history and social studies programs. The bill aligns with a broader trend of legislation focusing on educational content and curriculum standards in Texas.
Senate Bill 2617 mandates that all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas adopt a policy requiring the use of Anno Domini (AD) and Before Christ (BC) when expressing dates during student instruction. This policy aims to standardize how dates are presented in educational settings, ensuring consistency in the terminology used across different curricula.
While the bill seeks to create uniformity in how historical dates are expressed, its introduction could elicit debate regarding the broader implications for education. Critics may argue that such legislation could infringe upon local control and flexibility in education. The inclusion of specific terms like AD and BC might not resonate with all communities in Texas, potentially raising concerns about inclusivity in educational content.