HB1927 - Relating to the instructional materials for certain curriculum in public schools, including certain instructional prohibitions and requirements regarding those materials.

  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.