85R4341 MK-D     By: Bohac H.B. No. 729       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to instruction in positive character traits in public   schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 29.906, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 29.906.  CHARACTER TRAITS INSTRUCTION [EDUCATION   PROGRAM]. (a)  The State Board of Education shall integrate   positive character traits into the essential knowledge and skills   adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate [A school   district may provide a character education program].          (b)  The State Board of Education must include the following   [A character education program under this section must:                [(1)  stress] positive character traits [, such as]:                (1) [(A)]  courage;                (2) [(B)]  trustworthiness, including honesty,   reliability, punctuality, and loyalty;                (3) [(C)]  integrity;                (4) [(D)]  respect and courtesy;                (5) [(E)]  responsibility, including accountability,   diligence, perseverance, and self-control;                (6) [(F)]  fairness, including justice and freedom   from prejudice;                (7) [(G)]  caring, including kindness, empathy,   compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, and charity;                (8) [(H)]  good citizenship, including patriotism,   concern for the common good and the community, and respect for   authority and the law; [and]                (9) [(I)]  school pride; and                (10)  gratitude[;                [(2)  use integrated teaching strategies; and                [(3)  be age appropriate].          (c)  The State Board of Education shall create a report that   identifies the manner in which the character traits listed under   Subsection (b) have been integrated into the curriculum.  The board   shall make the report publicly available on the board's Internet   website.          (d)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school   must adopt a character education program that includes the positive   character traits listed in Subsection (b).  The district or   open-enrollment charter school shall submit the adopted program to   the agency annually, in a manner determined by the commissioner.          (e)  In developing or selecting a character education   program under this section, a school district shall consult with a   committee selected by the district that consists of:                (1)  parents of district students;                (2)  educators; and                (3)  other members of the community, including   community leaders.          (f) [(d)]  This section does not require or authorize   proselytizing or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious   or political belief.          (g) [(e)]  The agency shall:                (1)  maintain a list of character education programs   that school districts have implemented that meet the criteria under   Subsection (b); and                (2)  using the services of a center for education   research established under Section 1.005, and based on data   reported by districts, annually designate as a Character Plus   School each school that provides a character education program   that:                      (A)  meets the criteria prescribed by Subsection   (b); [and]                      (B)  is approved by the committee selected under   Subsection (e) [(c)]; and                      (C)  demonstrates a correlation between the   character education program adopted by the school, an increase in   student attendance levels, and a decrease in student disciplinary   problems [(3)  include in the report required under Section 39.332:                      [(A)     based on data reported by districts, the   impact of character education programs on student discipline and   academic achievement; and                      [(B)     other reported data relating to character   education programs the agency considers appropriate for   inclusion].          (h) [(f)]  The agency may accept money from [federal   government and] private sources to use in assisting school   districts in implementing character education programs that meet   the criteria prescribed by Subsection (b).          (i)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules as   necessary to implement this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018   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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.