ethnic studies joins the social studies core curriculum

The text as introduced · 587 words

89R1769 JTZ-D

By: Morales of Harris
H.B. No. 178

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to social studies curriculum choice for public school

students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. 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, [ and ] geography , and

ethnic studies ; 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 2. 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 or personal financial literacy & economics, and one

credit in ethnic studies, world geography , or world history;

(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 3. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended

by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade

during the 2026-2027 school year or a later school year. For

students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2026-2027

school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that section

existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is

continued in effect for that purpose.

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, 2025.