bill adding communism and DEI to social studies standards

The text as introduced · 464 words

89R19443 TYPED

By: Hagenbuch
S.B. No. 2803

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the inclusion of an understanding of communist regimes,

ideologies and history and their connection to DEI (Diversity,

Equity and Inclusion) and anti-racist initiatives in the essential

knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum for public

school students.

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

SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (h-13) to read as follows:

Subsections h-11 an h-12 shall include the following curriculum of

the history of communism in the United States and domestic

communist movements, including their histories and tactics and the

Neo-Marxist roots of Critical Race Theory and the discriminatory

concepts known as "diversity, equity, and inclusion."; and

Discuss the transformation of Marxism into Critical Theory with

students able to discuss topics including but not limited to:

(1) the central ideas of philosophers Antonio Gramsci and Herbert

Marcuse;

(2) the rise and nature of Cultural Marxism;

(3) the rise and nature of Critical Theory; and

(4) the similarities and differences between classical Marxism

and neo-Marxist Critical Theory.

Students are to analyze key developments in neo-Marxist

philosophies and movements in contemporary America.

Students are to discuss the philosophy of Critical Race Theory and

its consequences including but not limited to:

(1) the origins of Critical Race Theory in Communist Party

influence operations;

(2) the key ideas of Critical Race Theory and their social

effects;

(3) the key ideas of Intersectionality and its neo-Marxist framing

in "oppression"; and

(4) the key ideas of Paulo Freire's "pedagogy of the oppressed"

and its neo-Marxist framing in "oppression."

Students are to Discuss fallacies of "Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion" and so-called "Anti-Racist" initiatives, and their

consequences including but not limited to:

(1) the ideology and neo-Marxist roots of "Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion" (DEI) and so-called "Anti-Racist" initiatives;

(2) the "Great Awoke-ning" in the United States and the

consequences of DEI initiatives;

(3) rival conceptions of human flourishing promoted by

intellectuals such as Daryl Davis, John McWhorter, and Tabia Lee;

and

(4) the effects of identity politics on traditional American

ideals of liberty, republican self-government, civic virtue, and

individual merit.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2026-2027

school year.

SECTION 3. Not later than June 1, 2026, the State Board of

Education shall review and revise, as needed, the essential

knowledge and skills of the social studies curriculum as required

by Section 28.002(h-11), Education Code, as added by this Act.

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.