bill extending classroom topic rules to instructional materials

The text as introduced · 653 words

89R8298 MEW-D

By: Leo Wilson
H.B. No. 1927

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the instructional materials for certain curriculum in

public schools, including certain instructional prohibitions and

requirements regarding those materials.

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

SECTION 1. Section 28.002(h-7), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(h-7) The agency shall ensure that each school district or

open-enrollment charter school teaches civics education as part of

and adopts instructional materials for the district's social

studies curriculum in a manner consistent with the essential

knowledge and skills adopted under Subsection (h-2).

SECTION 2. Section 28.0022(a), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) For any course or subject, including an innovative

course, for a grade level from kindergarten through grade 12:

(1) a teacher may not be compelled to discuss or use

instructional materials that cover a widely debated and currently

controversial issue of public policy or social affairs;

(2) a teacher who chooses to discuss or use

instructional materials that cover a topic described by Subdivision

(1) shall explore that topic objectively and in a manner free from

political bias;

(3) a school district, open-enrollment charter

school, or teacher may not require, make part of a course, or award

a grade or course credit, including extra credit, for a student's:

(A) work for, affiliation with, or service

learning in association with any organization engaged in:

(i) lobbying for legislation at the

federal, state, or local level, if the student's duties involve

directly or indirectly attempting to influence social or public

policy or the outcome of legislation; or

(ii) social policy advocacy or public

policy advocacy;

(B) political activism, lobbying, or efforts to

persuade members of the legislative or executive branch at the

federal, state, or local level to take specific actions by direct

communication; or

(C) participation in any internship, practicum,

or similar activity involving social policy advocacy or public

policy advocacy; and

(4) a teacher, administrator, or other employee of a

state agency, school district, or open-enrollment charter school

may not:

(A) require or make part of a course , including

the course's instructional materials, inculcation in the concept

that:

(i) one race or sex is inherently superior

to another race or sex;

(ii) an individual, by virtue of the

individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or

oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

(iii) an individual should be discriminated

against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of

the individual's race or sex;

(iv) an individual's moral character,

standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual's

race or sex;

(v) an individual, by virtue of the

individual's race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for

actions committed by other members of the same race or sex;

(vi) meritocracy or traits such as a hard

work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a

particular race to oppress members of another race;

(vii) the advent of slavery in the

territory that is now the United States constituted the true

founding of the United States; or

(viii) with respect to their relationship

to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than

deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to the

authentic founding principles of the United States, which include

liberty and equality;

(B) teach, instruct, or train any administrator,

teacher, or staff member of a state agency, school district, or

open-enrollment charter school to adopt a concept listed under

Paragraph (A); or

(C) require an understanding of the 1619 Project.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

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.