By: Johnson, Powell S.B. No. 123
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to instruction in positive character traits and personal
skills in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 29.906, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS AND PERSONAL SKILLS
INSTRUCTION.
SECTION 2. Sections 29.906(a), (b), and (c), Education
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive
character traits and personal 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 personal 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, and
interpersonal skills;
(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.
(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
must adopt a character education program that includes the positive
character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection (b). In
developing or selecting a character education program under this
section, a school district shall consult with a committee selected
by the district that consists of:
(1) parents of district students;
(2) educators; and
(3) other members of the community, including
community leaders.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2022-2023
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.