87R10882 MWC-F     By: West S.B. No. 1898       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to global and cultural studies instruction and mandatory   graduation requirements in public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a) The legislature finds that comprehensive   curriculum positively impacts student achievement and allows for   long-term improvement in the overall operation, cooperation, and   productivity of the state. National studies have proven that there   are high social and educational benefits associated with   understanding divergent cultures, history, and perspectives.          (b)  The purpose of this Act is to provide public school   students with a more comprehensive academic curriculum, while   proactively expanding student perspectives and cultural   competency. The state shall facilitate the comprehensive academic   curriculum through intentional curriculum planning and through   core credit reallocation.          SECTION 2.  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 and [,]   United States [, and world] history, government, economics, with   emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits, global   studies, cultural studies, 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.          SECTION 3.  Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsection (j) to read as   follows:          (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require   that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school   program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students   successfully complete:                (1)  four credits in English language arts under   Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one   credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in   an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section   28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in   geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course   authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (3)  three credits in science under Section   28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any   advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one   credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional   advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (4)  four [three] credits in social studies under   Section 28.002(a)(1)(D), including:                      (A)  one credit in United States history; [,]                      (B)  at least one-half credit in government;                      (C)  [and] at least one-half credit in economics;                      (D)  [, and] one credit in global studies,   including:                            (i)  world geography; [or]                            (ii) world history; or                            (iii)  an equivalent advanced placement or   international baccalaureate world history or world geography   course that does not count toward another credit required for   graduation; and                      (E)  one credit in cultural studies, including:                            (i)  African American history from 1619 to   present;                            (ii)  Asian American history;                            (iii)  Hispanic/Mexican American history;                            (iv)  Indigenous history;                            (v)  teachings of other persons or groups   who participated in large-scale immigration into the United States;                             (vi)  history of women and gender studies;   and                            (vii)  a comprehensive history course   addressing a combination of studies within the cultural studies   course options listed in Subparagraphs (i)-(vi);                (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),   (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language   other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);                (6)  four [five] elective credits;                (7)  one credit in fine arts under Section   28.002(a)(2)(D); and                (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one   credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).          (j)  A school district shall provide at least two courses   that meet the requirements for a cultural studies course under   Subsection (b-1)(4)(E).          SECTION 4.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended   by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade   during the 2022-2023 school year or a later school year. For   students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2022-2023   school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that   subsection existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that   subsection is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.