88(3) HB 26 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring cultural inclusion as part of the social |
 
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studies curriculum for public schools. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by |
 
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adding Subsection (h-4) to read as follows: |
 
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             (h-4)    In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the |
 
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social studies curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten |
 
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through grade 12, the State Board of Education shall adopt |
 
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essential knowledge and skills that include the cultural inclusion |
 
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curriculum developed under Section 28.0029. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 28.0029 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  28.0029.    CULTURAL INCLUSION CURRICULUM. (a) The State |
 
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Board of Education shall develop curriculum on cultural inclusivity |
 
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that a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use |
 
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in the district's or school's social studies courses. |
 
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             (b)    The curriculum must encourage: |
 
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                         (1)    a student's sense of self; |
 
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                         (2)    an acceptance of diversity through the |
 
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identification and exploration of differences; |
 
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                         (3)    critical thinking about bias through the |
 
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identification and exploration of discrimination and stereotypes; |
 
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                         (4)    empathy toward others; and |
 
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                         (5)    advocating for oneself in the face of bias. |
 
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             (c)    In developing the curriculum under this section, the |
 
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State Board of Education shall consult with the agency and |
 
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appropriate stakeholders and may create a work group of volunteers |
 
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to make recommendations regarding the curriculum. |
 
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             (d)    The State Board of Education, the agency, and |
 
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appropriate stakeholders shall enter into a memorandum of |
 
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understanding that establishes each entity's respective |
 
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responsibilities in developing cultural inclusion curriculum that |
 
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reflects the cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of |
 
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society. |
 
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             (e)    Before finalizing the curriculum developed under this |
 
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section, the State Board of Education shall provide a reasonable |
 
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period for public comment. |
 
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             (f)    Subject to rules adopted by the State Board of |
 
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Education, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may |
 
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tailor the curriculum developed under this section as appropriate |
 
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for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the |
 
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instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from the |
 
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State Board of Education, the agency, community members, and other |
 
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interested individuals or organizations. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    This Act applies beginning with the 2024-2025 |
 
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school year. |
 
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             SECTION  4.    This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
 
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
 
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
 
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
 
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Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
 
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legislative session. |