87R5683 JES-F By: Bucy, Talarico, Bernal, Allison, Buckley H.B. No. 2230 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on incorporating fine arts into the foundation curriculum for public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. STUDY ON FINE ARTS AS FOUNDATION CURRICULUM COURSE. (a) The commissioner of education shall establish a task force to study the utility, efficacy, and feasibility of incorporating fine arts into the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1), Education Code, in public schools in this state. (b) The commissioner of education shall appoint members of the task force. The task force must include at least: (1) one fine arts public school educator; (2) one fine arts public school administrator; (3) one principal at a fine arts-integrated public school; (4) one representative from the State Board of Education; (5) one representative from a fine arts advocacy nonprofit organization; and (6) one parent of or person standing in parental relation to a public school student in this state. (c) The task force shall prepare a written report that includes: (1) a description of the activities of the task force; (2) an analysis of incorporating fine arts into the foundation curriculum, including the impact on: (A) curriculum decisions at the district and campus level, including evaluating the number of fine arts course offerings available to students; (B) the need for infrastructure support, including additional administrative leadership, to incorporate fine arts into the foundation curriculum and ensure the fidelity of curriculum implementation; (C) educator staffing, training, and certifications needed at the district and campus level to facilitate effective teaching of the essential knowledge and skills for fine arts at each grade level; (D) funding and budgetary resources at the district and campus level needed to support educator staffing, professional development, classroom resources, assessment implementation, and administrative support for the fine arts curriculum; (E) student academic achievement at campuses at which fine arts is treated as a foundation subject, including evaluating academic achievement for fine arts magnet schools and academies and fine arts-integrated campuses; (F) college and career readiness of public school students; and (G) accountability for fine arts courses taught in public schools; (3) recommendations for legislative or other action; and (4) any other matters the task force considers appropriate. (d) Not later than September 1, 2022, the task force shall submit the written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, legislature, and commissioner of education. SECTION 2. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2023. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.