SB1284 - Relating to civics instruction in public schools, including certain instructional requirements, civics training programs, and the essential knowledge and skills for the public school foundation curriculum and social studies curriculum.

  89R5218 CMO-D     By: Flores S.B. No. 1284       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to civics instruction in public schools, including certain   instructional requirements, civics training programs, and the   essential knowledge and skills for the public school foundation   curriculum and social studies curriculum.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 21.4555(b) and (c), Education Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  A civics training program developed under this section   must include training in:                (1)  the essential knowledge and skills for the social   studies curriculum related to civic knowledge adopted under Section   28.002(h-2);                (2)  guided classroom discussion of current events in a   way that prioritizes unity, understanding, and collaboration , as   appropriate for the grade level and consistent with the   restrictions under Section 28.0022;                (3)   strategies for incorporating instruction on civil   discourse, as defined by commissioner rule, into classroom   discussion of current events under Subdivision (2);                 (4)   classroom simulations and models of governmental   and democratic processes , including local governmental processes   and structure, consistent with the requirements and restrictions of   Sections 28.002(h-2) and 28.0022;                 (5)  [ (4) ]  media literacy, including instruction on   verifying information and sources, identifying and responding to   logical fallacies, identifying how journalism and governmental   transparency can inform the public and promote civic engagement,   and identifying propaganda, as appropriate for the grade level and   consistent with the restrictions under Section 28.0022; [ and ]                 (6)  [ (5) ]  strategies for incorporating civics   instruction into subject areas other than social studies ; and                 (7)     identifying optional, nonpartisan volunteer   opportunities that are consistent with the requirements and   restrictions of Section 28.0022 to encourage students to connect   with their community through civic engagement .          (c)  The commissioner by rule shall establish :                 (1)   the grade levels at which a teacher provides   instruction to be eligible to participate in a civics training   program.  In making the determination, the commissioner shall   include grade levels for which the State Board of Education makes   significant revisions to the essential knowledge and skills for the   social studies curriculum under Section 28.002(h-2) ; and                 (2)     a list of approved volunteer opportunities that   meet the requirements of Subsection (b)(7) .          SECTION 2.  Sections 28.002(h-1) and (h-2), Education Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (h-1)  In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the   foundation curriculum under Subsection (a)(1), the State Board of   Education shall, as appropriate, adopt essential knowledge and   skills that develop each student's civic knowledge, including an   understanding of:                (1)  the fundamental moral, political, and   intellectual foundations of the American experiment in   self-government;                (2)  the history, qualities, traditions, and features   of civic engagement in the United States;                (3)  the structure, function, and processes of   government institutions at the federal, state, and local levels ,   including the division of powers between federal and state   governments and the legislative process in this state ; and                (4)  the founding documents of the United States,   including:                      (A)  the entirety of the Declaration of   Independence;                      (B)  the entirety of the United States   Constitution;                      (C)  the Federalist Papers, including the   entirety of Essays 10 and 51;                      (D)  excerpts from Alexis de Tocqueville's   Democracy in America;                      (E)  the transcript of the first Lincoln-Douglas   debate;                      (F)  the writings of the founding fathers of the   United States;                      (G)  the entirety of Frederick Douglass's   speeches "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" and "What the   Black Man Wants"; and                      (H)  the entirety of Martin Luther King Jr.'s   speech "I Have a Dream."          (h-2)  In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the   social studies curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten   through grade 12, the State Board of Education shall adopt   essential knowledge and skills that develop each student's civic   knowledge, including:                (1)  an understanding of:                      (A)  the fundamental moral, political,   entrepreneurial, and intellectual foundations of the American   experiment in self-government;                      (B)  the history, qualities, traditions, and   features of civic engagement in the United States;                      (C)  the structure, function, and processes of   government institutions at the federal, state, and local levels ,   including division of powers between federal and state governments   and the legislative process in this state ; and                      (D)  the founding documents of the United States;                (2)  the ability to:                      (A)  analyze and determine the reliability of   information sources;                      (B)  formulate and articulate reasoned positions;                      (C)  understand the manner in which local, state,   and federal government works and operates through the use of   simulations and models of governmental and democratic processes;                      (D)  actively listen and engage in civil   discourse, including discourse with those with different   viewpoints; and                      (E)  participate as a citizen in a constitutional   democracy by voting; and                (3)  an appreciation of:                      (A)  the importance and responsibility of   participating in civic life;                      (B)  a commitment to the United States and its   form of government; and                      (C)  a commitment to free speech and civil   discourse.          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.