The joy in great policy really does exist. For that reason, as bad as things sometimes are, I really have so much hope for the future.
Hats off to Texas State Rep. Christina Morales for championing House Bill 1504 that would allow the state's already-approved Ethnic Studies courses to count as a pathway toward high school graduation. As Tony Díaz appropriately framed this, we are calling for "Texas-Sized History" to include Mexican American, African American, Native American, and Asian American Studies.
With significant bipartisan support, HB 1504 cleared out of the Texas House of Representatives yesterday. This reflects not only the ongoing struggle for Ethnic Studies in Texas, but also the very hard work of Rep. Morales who has championed a very-well conceived and written bill since day one. This is what it takes, my friends.
House Bill 1504
I myself spoke at yesterday's press conference on behalf of Texas LULAC as a member of the state's Education Committee. Thanks to State Director Rudy Rosales, Chair René Martinez, and fellow member Velma Ybarra for supporting this from the beginning.
Many thanks, as well, to UTRGV Professor Dr. Christopher Carmona, Chair, of the NACCS Tejas Foco to which I also belong for his leadership. Happy to share, as well, Dr. Carmona's press release below that lays out next steps.
-Angela Valenzuela
Historic Ethnic Studies Bill HB 1504 Passes the House of the Texas Legislature: Now to Go All The WayTexas State Representative Christina Morales (D) filed House Bill 1504, along with joint authors, Representatives Alma Allen (D) and Gene Wu (D), which would make Ethnic Studies count towards high school graduation. Tuesday, May 11, 2021, it was approved by the Texas House of Representatives. This is the first Ethnic Studies bill in Texas to reach this point. It has also received bipartisan support. The courses referred to in the bill were approved by both Republican and Democratic Texas State Board of Education Representatives unanimously. The bill also received unanimous support from the House Public Education Committee. State Rep. Dan Huberty, a Republican, has also joined as a co-sponsor of the bill. TX HB1504 now advances to the Texas Senate Education Committee. Texas State Representative Morales said, "Research proves that students who study culturally relevant courses are more successful in school and are more likely to graduate. I have been empowered by knowing my history and my family's story. We are uniting to bring this knowledge to more and more of our students in Texas. It is time to unite for Texas-Sized History to give a full picture with more voices." Please call your state senator or any of the senators on this list to advance this bill through the Senate and make history by having the first Ethnic Studies bill in the State of Texas ever. Please call the Republicans on the Senate Committee on Education Chair The Honorable Larry Taylor (512) 463-0111 The Honorable Paul Bettencourt (512) 463-0107 The Honorable Bob Hall (512) 463-0102 The Honorable Bryan Hughes Austin, TX 78711 (512) 463-0101 The Honorable Angela Paxton (512) 463-0108 The Honorable Eddie Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127 | ||||||||||||||
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