TITLE: Relating to the required curriculum for public school students.

SUMMARY: Relating to the required curriculum for public school students.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the required 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 amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (x), (y), and (z) to read as follows: (a) Each school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum: (1) a foundation curriculum that includes: (A) English language arts; (B) mathematics; (C) science; and (D) social studies, consisting of Texas, United States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits, [and] geography,and constitutional law, with emphasis on case law;and (2) an enrichment curriculum that includes: (A) to the extent possible, languages other than English; (B) health, with emphasis on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise; (C) physical education; (D) fine arts; (E) career and technology education; (F) technology applications; (G) religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature; [and] (H) personal financial literacy;(I) capitalism, including entrepreneurship and free market principles; and (J) Western civilization, including ethics.(x) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum under Subsection (a)(1)(D), the State Board of Education shall adopt essential knowledge and skills that encourage character building, including developing and improving the positive character traits listed in Section 29.906(b). (y) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the capitalism curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(I), the State Board of Education shall consult with entrepreneurs and other experts on capitalism and free market principles. (z) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the Western civilization curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(J), the State Board of Education shall: (1) adopt essential knowledge and skills that encourage character building, including developing and improving the positive character traits listed in Section 29.906(b); and (2) consult with experts on Western civilization, including experts on ethics. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2016-2017 school 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.