Bill Text: TX HB3403 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to public school curriculum and textbooks.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-17 - Referred to Public Education [HB3403 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HB3403-Introduced.html
| By: Leach | H.B. No. 3403 | |
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| relating to public school curriculum and textbooks. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 28.002(h), Education Code, is amended to | ||
| read as follows: | ||
| (h) The State Board of Education and each school district | ||
| shall foster the continuation of the tradition of teaching United | ||
| States and Texas history and the free enterprise system in regular | ||
| subject matter and in reading courses and in the adoption of | ||
| textbooks. A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to | ||
| prepare thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance | ||
| of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise | ||
| society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our | ||
| state and national heritage. In meeting that primary purpose, the | ||
| SBOE and each school district shall ensure that: | ||
| (1) the public school curriculum reflects the | ||
| importance of patriotism, United States citizenship, and promotes | ||
| an appreciation for our free enterprise system and basic democratic | ||
| values; | ||
| (2) each historical event addressed in the public | ||
| school curriculum meets a reasonable test of historical | ||
| significance, considering the limited amount of time available for | ||
| instruction; | ||
| (3) each controversial issue addressed in the public | ||
| school curriculum is presented in a balanced manner that reflects | ||
| multiple viewpoints regarding the issue; | ||
| (4) the public school curriculum reflects an overall | ||
| tone that portrays the United States as a country that has overcome | ||
| its mistakes and has emerged as the freest, most democratic nation | ||
| in the history of the world; | ||
| (5) the public school curriculum shall include the | ||
| concept of American Exceptionalism and the Celebrate Freedom Week | ||
| program; | ||
| (6) School district generated and purchased | ||
| curriculum, including Advanced Placement and International | ||
| Baccalaureate social studies, must be in compliance with Texas | ||
| Essential Knowledge and Skills. | ||
| SECTION 2. Section 31.023(a), Education Code, is to read | ||
| amended as follows: | ||
| (a) For each subject and grade level, the State Board of | ||
| Education shall adopt a list of instructional materials. The list | ||
| includes each instructional material submitted for the subject and | ||
| grade level that meets applicable physical specifications adopted | ||
| by the State Board of Education and contains material covering at | ||
| least half of the elements of the essential knowledge and skills of | ||
| the subject and grade level in the student version of the | ||
| instructional material, as well as in the teacher version of the | ||
| instructional material, as determined by the State Board of | ||
| Education under Section 28.002, is consistent with the requirements | ||
| applicable to curriculum under Section 28.002(h), and adopted under | ||
| Section 31.024. | ||
| SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this | ||
| section, this Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. | ||
| (b) Section 31.023(a), Education Code, as amended by this | ||
| Act, applies only to textbooks adopted by the State Board of | ||
| Education on or after September 1, 2016. | ||
| SECTION 4. If this act passes both house and senate, it | ||
| takes effect September 1, 2015. | ||
