Bill Text: TX SB229 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to civics instruction in public schools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-03 - Referred to Education [SB229 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB229-Introduced.html

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87R3171 MLH-D
By: Johnson S.B. No. 229

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to civics instruction in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.466 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.466. CIVICS COURSE TRAINING. The agency shall
advise school districts regarding training materials and resources
for a school district to use in assisting educators to:
(1) develop civics projects and methods of teaching as
described in Section 28.0022;
(2) understand and teach the relevance of:
(A) public policy; and
(B) the structure of federal, state, and local
governments; and
(3) engage students in:
(A) thinking critically;
(B) working cooperatively;
(C) identifying issues in the community;
(D) researching a problem, evaluating
alternative outcomes, and developing a solution; and
(E) creating public policy or action plans.
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, United
States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on
the free enterprise system and its benefits, civics, 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. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0022 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0022. CIVICS INSTRUCTION. (a) The essential
knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum under
Section 28.002 must include instruction in civics:
(1) at least once in grade four, five, six, seven, or
eight; and
(2) as part of one or more courses offered at the high
school level that satisfy graduation requirements under Section
28.025.
(b) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
that offers a high school program shall provide an elective course
in civics that meets the requirements for one credit in civics under
Section 28.025(b-1)(4).
(c) The State Board of Education shall develop a civics
curriculum as described by this section. The curriculum must be
developed to:
(1) measure the civics learning objectives contained
in the essential knowledge and skills for social studies;
(2) demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of
the relevance of:
(A) public policy; and
(B) the structure of federal, state, and local
governments; and
(3) include opportunities for students to engage in:
(A) thinking critically;
(B) working cooperatively;
(C) identifying issues in the community;
(D) researching a problem, evaluating
alternative outcomes, and developing a solution; and
(E) creating public policy or action plans.
(d) In implementing the curriculum described under this
section, each school district or open-enrollment charter school
shall develop a course of study that is project based. The course
of study may take the form of a capstone project, portfolio, or
presentation. The course of study must:
(1) use inquiry-based learning;
(2) focus on problem solving; and
(3) address an issue that is relevant to the students.
(e) Not later than September 1 of every even-numbered year,
each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall
submit to the agency a report that describes the projects developed
through civics courses offered by the district or school.
(f) The agency shall adopt rules necessary to gather data
and conduct research to substantiate any correlation between taking
a civics course offered under this section and student achievement
under Section 39.053.
SECTION 4. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended
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) three credits in social studies under Section
28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at
least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
economics, and one credit in world geography, [or] world history,
or civics;
(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) 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).
SECTION 5. Not later than September 1, 2022, each school
district and open-enrollment charter school shall submit the
initial report required under Section 28.0022, Education Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 6. 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.