88R4194 DIO-F
By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 1119
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring cultural inclusion curriculum as part of the
enrichment curriculum for public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Each school district that offers kindergarten through
grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
(1) a foundation curriculum that includes:
(A) English language arts;
(B) mathematics;
(C) science; and
(D) social studies, consisting of Texas, United
States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on
the free enterprise system and its benefits, and geography; and
(2) an enrichment curriculum that includes:
(A) to the extent possible, languages other than
English;
(B) health, with emphasis on:
(i) physical health, including the
importance of proper nutrition and exercise;
(ii) mental health, including instruction
about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage
emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
responsible decision-making; and
(iii) suicide prevention, including
recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs;
(C) physical education;
(D) fine arts;
(E) career and technology education;
(F) technology applications;
(G) religious literature, including the Hebrew
Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on
history and literature; [and]
(H) personal financial literacy; and
(I) cultural inclusion.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0029 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0029. CULTURAL INCLUSION CURRICULUM. (a) The State
Board of Education shall develop curriculum on cultural inclusivity
that a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use
in the district's or school's cultural inclusivity courses.
(b) The curriculum must encourage:
(1) a student's sense of self;
(2) an acceptance of diversity through the
identification and exploration of differences;
(3) critical thinking about bias through the
identification and exploration of discrimination and stereotypes;
(4) empathy toward others; and
(5) advocating for oneself in the face of bias.
(c) In developing the curriculum under this section, the
State Board of Education shall consult with interested parties and
may create a work group of volunteers to make recommendations
regarding the curriculum.
(d) Before finalizing the curriculum developed under this
section, the State Board of Education shall provide a reasonable
period for public comment.
(e) Subject to rules adopted by the State Board of
Education, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may
tailor the curriculum developed under this section as appropriate
for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the
instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from the
State Board of Education, the agency, community members, and other
interested individuals or organizations.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2023.