Sec. 21.4555.  CIVICS TRAINING PROGRAM.  (a)  To facilitate the teaching of curriculum consistent with Sections 28.002(h-2) and 28.0022, the commissioner shall develop and make available civics training programs for teachers and administrators.
(b)  A civics training program developed under this section must include training in:
(1)  the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum related to civic knowledge adopted under Section 28.002(h-2);
(2)  guided classroom discussion of current events, as appropriate for the grade level and consistent with the restrictions under Section 28.0022;
(3)  classroom simulations and models of governmental and democratic processes consistent with the requirements and restrictions of Sections 28.002(h-2) and 28.0022;
(4)  media literacy, including instruction on verifying information and sources, identifying and responding to logical fallacies, and identifying propaganda, as appropriate for the grade level and consistent with the restrictions under Section 28.0022; and
(5)  strategies for incorporating civics instruction into subject areas other than social studies.
(c)  The commissioner by rule shall establish the grade levels at which a teacher provides instruction to be eligible to participate in a civics training program.  In making the determination, the commissioner shall include grade levels for which the State Board of Education makes significant revisions to the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum under Section 28.002(h-2).
(d)  Each civics training program developed under Subsection (a) must be reviewed and approved by the State Board of Education.  The board shall annually review each program.
(e)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall ensure that each district or school campus that offers a grade level described by Subsection (c) has at least one teacher and one principal or campus instructional leader who has attended a civics training program.  The agency shall provide assistance to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in complying with the requirements of this subsection.
(f)  From funds available for that purpose, a teacher who attends a civics training program may receive a stipend in an amount determined by the commissioner.  A stipend received under this section is not included in determining whether a district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402.
(g)  The commissioner may delay implementation of Subsection (e) to a school year not later than the 2025-2026 school year if the revision of the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum under Section 28.002(h-2) or the availability of civics training programs does not occur in a manner that reasonably affords public schools the ability to comply with that subsection by an earlier school year.  This subsection expires September 1, 2026.
(h)  Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the teaching of or instruction in the essential knowledge and skills adopted under Subchapter A, Chapter 28.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 9 (S.B. 3), Sec. 1, eff. December 2, 2021.