Bill > HB659

This bill requires the Texas State Board of Education to develop a cultural inclusion curriculum for social studies courses in kindergarten through 12th grade, which aims to promote students' understanding of diversity, self-awareness, and critical thinking about bias. The curriculum will be designed to encourage students' sense of self, acceptance of diversity, understanding of discrimination and stereotypes, empathy toward others, and ability to advocate for themselves when facing bias. The State Board of Education will collaborate with appropriate stakeholders and may create a volunteer work group to develop the curriculum, and they will be required to establish a memorandum of understanding that outlines each entity's responsibilities in creating a curriculum that reflects cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. School districts and charter schools will have the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to their specific community's needs, but they must seek input from the State Board of Education, the agency, community members, and other interested parties. The curriculum will be subject to a public comment period before finalization and will be implemented beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB659