85R7634 SRS-D
By: Anchia H.B. No. 1817
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to elective courses in ethnic studies for middle school
and high school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0111 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0111. ELECTIVE COURSES IN ETHNIC STUDIES. (a) A
school district may offer to middle and high school students one or
more English language arts or social studies elective courses in
ethnic studies that comply with curriculum standards adopted under
Subsection (b) or (c).
(b) The State Board of Education shall adopt separate
content-based curriculum standards for each of the following ethnic
studies courses:
(1) Mexican American studies;
(2) African American studies;
(3) Native American studies; and
(4) Asian American studies.
(c) The State Board of Education may adopt separate
content-based curriculum standards for additional ethnic studies
courses not specified in Subsection (b).
(d) The curriculum standards must:
(1) include:
(A) key historical figures, events, and dates;
and
(B) information regarding the ethnic group's
contributions to society; and
(2) be reviewed by academic experts with knowledge in
the relevant ethnic studies field before final adoption by the
State Board of Education.
SECTION 2. The State Board of Education shall adopt
curriculum standards for ethnic studies courses as required by
Section 28.0111, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later
than the date that permits school districts to offer ethnic studies
courses that comply with the curriculum standards beginning with
the 2018-2019 school year.
SECTION 3. 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, 2017.