2021S0003-1 11/06/20
By: Johnson S.B. No. 123
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the inclusion of social and emotional skills in
character trait instruction provided by public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 29.906(a) and (b), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive
character traits, including social and emotional skills, into the
essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through
grade 12, as appropriate.
(b) The State Board of Education must include the following
positive character traits and skills:
(1) courage;
(2) trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability,
punctuality, and loyalty;
(3) integrity;
(4) respect and courtesy;
(5) responsibility, including accountability,
diligence, perseverance, self-management skills, and self-control;
(6) fairness, including justice and freedom from
prejudice;
(7) caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion,
consideration, patience, generosity, [and] charity, interpersonal
skills, and social awareness;
(8) good citizenship, including patriotism, concern
for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making
skills, and respect for authority and the law;
(9) school pride; [and]
(10) gratitude; and
(11) self-awareness.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
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, 2021.