Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3403 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	By: Leach H.B. No. 3403
2	2
3	3
4	4	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
5	5	AN ACT
6	6	relating to public school curriculum and textbooks.
7	7	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	8	SECTION 1. Section 28.002(h), Education Code, is amended to
9	9	read as follows:
10	10	(h) The State Board of Education and each school district
11	11	shall foster the continuation of the tradition of teaching United
12	12	States and Texas history and the free enterprise system in regular
13	13	subject matter and in reading courses and in the adoption of
14	14	textbooks. A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to
15	15	prepare thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance
16	16	of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise
17	17	society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our
18	18	state and national heritage. In meeting that primary purpose, the
19	19	SBOE and each school district shall ensure that:
20	20	(1) the public school curriculum reflects the
21	21	importance of patriotism, United States citizenship, and promotes
22	22	an appreciation for our free enterprise system and basic democratic
23	23	values;
24	24	(2) each historical event addressed in the public
25	25	school curriculum meets a reasonable test of historical
26	26	significance, considering the limited amount of time available for
27	27	instruction;
28	28	(3) each controversial issue addressed in the public
29	29	school curriculum is presented in a balanced manner that reflects
30	30	multiple viewpoints regarding the issue;
31	31	(4) the public school curriculum reflects an overall
32	32	tone that portrays the United States as a country that has overcome
33	33	its mistakes and has emerged as the freest, most democratic nation
34	34	in the history of the world;
35	35	(5) the public school curriculum shall include the
36	36	concept of American Exceptionalism and the Celebrate Freedom Week
37	37	program;
38	38	(6) School district generated and purchased
39	39	curriculum, including Advanced Placement and International
40	40	Baccalaureate social studies, must be in compliance with Texas
41	41	Essential Knowledge and Skills.
42	42	SECTION 2. Section 31.023(a), Education Code, is to read
43	43	amended as follows:
44	44	(a) For each subject and grade level, the State Board of
45	45	Education shall adopt a list of instructional materials. The list
46	46	includes each instructional material submitted for the subject and
47	47	grade level that meets applicable physical specifications adopted
48	48	by the State Board of Education and contains material covering at
49	49	least half of the elements of the essential knowledge and skills of
50	50	the subject and grade level in the student version of the
51	51	instructional material, as well as in the teacher version of the
52	52	instructional material, as determined by the State Board of
53	53	Education under Section 28.002, is consistent with the requirements
54	54	applicable to curriculum under Section 28.002(h), and adopted under
55	55	Section 31.024.
56	56	SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
57	57	section, this Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.
58	58	(b) Section 31.023(a), Education Code, as amended by this
59	59	Act, applies only to textbooks adopted by the State Board of
60	60	Education on or after September 1, 2016.
61	61	SECTION 4. If this act passes both house and senate, it
62	62	takes effect September 1, 2015.