Rep. Christina Morales files Ethnic Studies Bill 1504 that links Ethnic Studies to High School Graduation

 Friends,

Let's make some noise around this proposal that would allow Ethnic Studies, including Mexican American and African American Studies, to be required for high school graduation. Currently, Ethnic Studies is an elective in the K-12 curriculum. This proposed legislation is the first to link Ethnic Studies to high school graduation requirements in Texas, by the way.

See HB 1504 below.

Reach out to whoever represents you in the Texas House and lend your support to this legislation. If you don't know, go to this "Who Represents Me" link to find out.

So hats of to bill author, Texas State Representative Christina Morales (D-Houston) for leading in this way.

Sí se puede! Yes we can!

-Angela Valenzuela

#EthnicStudiesNow

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By:  Morales of Harris H.B. No. 1504

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to ethnic studies instruction in 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 ethnic studies, including Mexican American and African American studies; 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 2.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended 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)  three credits in social studies under Section 28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in economics, and at least one-half credit in Mexican American Studies and at least one-half credit in African American Studies or one credit in world geography or world history;

            (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)  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).

      SECTION 3.  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 section existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is continued in effect for that purpose.

      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.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.