HB2899 - Relating to requirements for courses in the core curriculum adopted by public institutions of higher education.

  89R12565 JTZ-F     By: Alders H.B. No. 2899       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requirements for courses in the core curriculum adopted   by public institutions of higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 61.8221 to read as follows:           Sec.   61.8221.     REQUIREMENTS FOR COURSES IN CORE CURRICULUM.   A course in an institution of higher education's core curriculum   adopted under Section 61.822(b):                 (1)  may not:                       (A)  distort a significant historical event;                       (B)     include an aspect that teaches identity   politics; or                       (C)     be based on a theory that systemic racism,   sexism, oppression, or privilege is inherent in the institutions of   the United States or this state or was created to maintain social,   political, or economic inequities; and                 (2)  must impart:                       (A)     for a communication course, the ability to   communicate effectively, including the ability to write clearly and   engage in public speaking;                       (B)     for a mathematics course, an understanding of   key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate   quantitative tools to everyday experience;                       (C)     for a life and physical science course, the   ability to critically examine and evaluate the principles of the   scientific method and an understanding of biology, life sciences,   anatomy, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, or computer   sciences;                       (D)     for a language course, an ability to speak,   read, and write in a foreign language;                       (E)     for a literature or philosophy course, an   understanding of the literary or philosophical development of   Western civilization;                       (F)     for an arts course, an appreciation of and   ability to analyze visual arts, performing arts, music, or film;                       (G)     for a United States history course, a broad   understanding of the history of the United States and of this state;                       (H)     for a United States government course, an   understanding of civics, including principles of the founding of   the United States, such as natural rights, liberty, equality,   democracy, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism,   constitutional self-government, and the structure, function, and   roles of state and local governments; and                       (I)     for a behavioral and social science course,   an understanding of concepts and principles used in the analysis of   human behavior and of past and present social, political, and   economic issues.          SECTION 2.  Section 61.8221, Education Code, as added by   this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.          SECTION 3.  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.