Bill Text: TX SB1898 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to global and cultural studies instruction and mandatory graduation requirements in public schools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-26 - Referred to Education [SB1898 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB1898-Introduced.html

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87R10882 MWC-F
By: West S.B. No. 1898

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to global and cultural studies instruction and mandatory
graduation requirements in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The legislature finds that comprehensive
curriculum positively impacts student achievement and allows for
long-term improvement in the overall operation, cooperation, and
productivity of the state. National studies have proven that there
are high social and educational benefits associated with
understanding divergent cultures, history, and perspectives.
(b) The purpose of this Act is to provide public school
students with a more comprehensive academic curriculum, while
proactively expanding student perspectives and cultural
competency. The state shall facilitate the comprehensive academic
curriculum through intentional curriculum planning and through
core credit reallocation.
SECTION 2. 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 and [,]
United States [, and world] history, government, economics, with
emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits, global
studies, cultural studies, 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.
SECTION 3. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsection (j) to read as
follows:
(b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require
that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school
program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students
successfully complete:
(1) four credits in English language arts under
Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one
credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in
an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
(2) three credits in mathematics under Section
28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in
geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course
authorized under Subsection (b-2);
(3) three credits in science under Section
28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any
advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one
credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional
advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
(4) four [three] credits in social studies under
Section 28.002(a)(1)(D), including:
(A) one credit in United States history; [,]
(B) at least one-half credit in government;
(C) [and] at least one-half credit in economics;
(D) [, and] one credit in global studies,
including:
(i) world geography; [or]
(ii) world history; or
(iii) an equivalent advanced placement or
international baccalaureate world history or world geography
course that does not count toward another credit required for
graduation; and
(E) one credit in cultural studies, including:
(i) African American history from 1619 to
present;
(ii) Asian American history;
(iii) Hispanic/Mexican American history;
(iv) Indigenous history;
(v) teachings of other persons or groups
who participated in large-scale immigration into the United States;
(vi) history of women and gender studies;
and
(vii) a comprehensive history course
addressing a combination of studies within the cultural studies
course options listed in Subparagraphs (i)-(vi);
(5) except as provided under Subsections (b-12),
(b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language
other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);
(6) four [five] elective credits;
(7) one credit in fine arts under Section
28.002(a)(2)(D); and
(8) except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
(j) A school district shall provide at least two courses
that meet the requirements for a cultural studies course under
Subsection (b-1)(4)(E).
SECTION 4. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended
by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade
during the 2022-2023 school year or a later school year. For
students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2022-2023
school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that
subsection existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that
subsection is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.