Bill Text: TX HB617 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the inclusion of American principles in the public school curriculum and instructional materials.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-22 - Referred to Public Education [HB617 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB617-Introduced.html
  85R3423 MK-D
 
  By: Leach H.B. No. 617
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the inclusion of American principles in the public
  school curriculum and instructional materials.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (h-1) to read as follows:
         (h-1)  To accomplish the primary purpose stated in
  Subsection (h), the State Board of Education and each school
  district shall ensure that:
               (1)  the public school curriculum emphasizes:
                     (A)  the importance of patriotism, American
  exceptionalism, United States citizenship, basic democratic
  values, character development, the moral fabric of American civil
  society, and an appreciation for the free enterprise system; and
                     (B)  an understanding of the principles
  underlying the United States form of government, including the
  study of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the Declaration
  of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of
  Rights, and the Federalist Papers;
               (2)  each historical event addressed in the public
  school curriculum meets a reasonable standard of historical
  significance, in relation to the limited amount of available
  instructional time;
               (3)  any issue included in the public school curriculum
  that is considered controversial is presented in a balanced manner
  that includes multiple viewpoints regarding the issue;
               (4)  the public school curriculum includes the
  Celebrate Freedom Week program developed under Section 29.907; and
               (5)  any curriculum generated, purchased, or otherwise
  obtained by a district, including dual credit, advanced placement,
  and international baccalaureate social studies courses, is in
  compliance with the appropriate essential knowledge and skills
  requirements adopted under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 31.023(a), Education Code, is amended to
  read 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, that [and] contains material that
  is consistent with the purpose and guidelines of Sections 28.002(h)
  and (h-1), and that covers [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 and adopted under
  Section 31.024.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), this
  Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
         (b)  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
  31.023(a), Education Code, apply to instructional materials
  adopted by the State Board of Education on or after September 1,
  2018.
         SECTION 4.  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, 2017.
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