TITLE: Relating to requiring disability studies as part of the enrichment curriculum for public schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring disability studies as part of the enrichment curriculum for public schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring disability studies as part of the enrichment curriculum for public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended 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 (2) an enrichment curriculum that includes: (A) to the extent possible, languages other than English; (B) health, with emphasis on: (i) physical health, including the importance of proper nutrition and exercise; (ii) mental health, including instruction about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making; and (iii) suicide prevention, including recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs; (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;and (I) disability studies.SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.0022 to read as follows: Sec. 28.0022. DISABILITY STUDIES. (a) In this section, "ableism" means discrimination in favor of able-bodied persons. (b) The Texas essential knowledge and skills and, as applicable, Section 28.025 shall include instruction in disability studies in: (1) social studies instruction in kindergarten through grade eight; and (2) one or more courses offered for high school graduation. (c) Each school district and each open-enrollment charter school that offers a high school program shall provide an elective course in disability studies that meets the requirements for a one-half elective credit under Section 28.025, using materials approved by the State Board of Education. (d) The instruction in disability studies must include information regarding: (1) disability identity; (2) disability culture; (3) the social model of disability; (4) the disability rights movement; (5) past and present leaders in the field of disability; (6) federal and state law affecting persons with disabilities; (7) exerting self-determination; (8) engaging in self-advocacy; and (9) concepts and theories to combat ableism. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 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.