By: Bernal H.B. No. 366       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an elective course in ethnic studies for middle school,   junior high school, and high school students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 28.0111 to read as follows:          Sec. 28.0111.  ELECTIVE COURSE IN ETHNIC STUDIES. (a) In   this section, "advisory committee" means the ethnic studies     advisory committee.          (b)  A school district shall offer an elective course in   ethnic studies to students in middle school, junior high school,   and high school. The course provided to high school students must   meet the requirements for a one-half elective credit under Section   28.025.          (c)  The commissioner shall create an ethnic studies   advisory committee that consists of ten to fifteen members serving   a term of two years, including at least one representative from the   following:                (1)  a middle school teacher with experience in ethnic   studies;                (2)  a high school teacher with experience in ethnic   studies;                (3)  a professor from a Texas public institution of   higher education who specializes in ethnic studies;                (4)  a professor from a Texas private institution of   higher education who specializes in ethnic studies;                (5)  a professor from a Texas Community College who   specializes in ethnic studies;                (6)  a member of a community based organization who is   an expert in the field of ethnic studies;                (7)  a member of a professional association relating to   ethnic studies; and                (8)  a parent of a middle or high school student with   demonstrated interest in ethnic studies.          (d)  A member of the advisory committee serves at the will of   the commissioner.          (e)  The advisory committee shall prepare and periodically   update model curricula for ethnic studies courses for review and   consideration by the State Board of Education. The model curricula   for ethnic studies courses must provide:                (1)  proposed grade-level appropriate instruction for   students in middle school, junior high school, or high school;                (2)  recommended resources and educational materials   for ethnic studies courses; and                (3)  proposed training for teachers of ethnic studies.          (f)  Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year,   the advisory committee shall prepare a report addressing ethnic   studies courses taught in this state for middle school, junior high   school, and high school students. The report must:                (1)  review and evaluate ethnic studies courses offered   in the state;                (2)  address the use of ethnic studies model curricula   developed by the advisory committee;                (3)  provide best practices for ethnic studies courses;                (4)  provide areas of improvement for ethnic studies   courses; and                (5)  evaluate current educational research on ethnic   studies courses.          (g)  The advisory committee shall provide the proposed model   curricula and report to the:                (1)  governor;                (2)  lieutenant governor;                (3)  speaker of the house of representatives;                (4)  appropriate committees of the senate and house of   representatives; and                (5)  State Board of Education.          SECTION 2.  A school district shall provide the elective   course required by Section 28.0111, Education Code, as added by   this Act, beginning with the 2018-2019 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.