As for Senate affirmation, it was no surprise the upper chamber had already given the Thumbs Up to a similar proposal. The legislation which will head to the governor’s desk once the House approves the Senate’s changes states thusly: A teacher of specified social studies, history, and government courses could not be compelled to discuss current events or widely debated and currently controversial issues of public policy or social affairs. A teacher who chose to discuss such topics would have to, to the best of the teacher’s ability, strive to explore those topics from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.
AP Photo/Eric Gay It’s not a done deal but it’s close. The Texas Senate passed a bill that limits the teaching of critical race theory in public schools and open-enrollment charter schools. House Bill 3979 was reworked in the Senate and passed on Saturday. It now goes back to the House where it is expected to be approved. If not, a conference committee comprised of members of both the House and Senate will be called to settle any differences. The bill has been described as controversial by its opponents. The Senate passed it in an 18-13 vote, strictly along party lines. There is no specific mention of critical race theory but the bill does address how teachers may teach civics in the classroom beginning with the 2022-23 school year. The bill requires “the State Board of Education to develop new state standards for civics education with a corresponding teacher training program.”