The bill, H.B. No. 1457, proposes to amend the Texas Education Code to include a new requirement for public high school students to complete a course on modern conflicts as part of their social studies curriculum. Specifically, it adds a half credit in modern conflicts to the existing social studies requirements, which include U.S. history, government, and economics. The State Board of Education is tasked with ensuring that this course includes specific instruction on various historical events and ideologies, including the modern history of Russia, the People's Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba, the Cambodian Genocide, and the Iraq and Afghan Wars.

Additionally, the bill modifies the total number of elective credits required, changing it from five to four and one-half credits. The new course on modern conflicts is set to be implemented for students entering the ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year, with provisions for students entering higher grades during that school year to follow the previous curriculum requirements. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.025 (Education Code 28)