On Friday night House Bill 3979, a harmful bill that prohibits Texas teachers and students from exploring important topics related to race, gender and justice was revived by Senate leadership shortly after it was blocked from passage in the House. The bill was brought back using a procedural maneuver that many believe may be unconstitutional. Senators who challenged the decision, pointing to clear limitations on when bills can pass out of the Senate, were effectively silenced. It now appears the bill will head to the Governor for passage into law.
“HB 3979 is a horrifying piece of legislation that was pushed through our legislative process with utter disregard for rules and procedure,” said IDRA Deputy Director of Advocacy Ana Ramón. “This bill is an attempt to control important conversations happening across this country about racism, sexism, and a history of discrimination that shaped this country.”
Even as they called for strong civics education and a collective commitment to democratic ideals, many Texas Legislators refused to listen to the voices of Texans who opposed HB 3979.
The bill attempts to control students' and teachers' thoughts and conversations about current events and social justice issues in schools by discouraging honest discussions in Texas classrooms. It mischaracterizes the important and timely conversations about diversity and equity happening in schools, homes and workplaces across the country.
In allegiance to the bill’s goal to censor civics discussions in schools, the process used by the Legislature to advance this bill also censored civic discussion about the bill itself. The legislature circumvented the normal process of giving adequate notice for the public to provide testimony, leading advocates to hold their own
virtual press conference and
Facebook live hearing so the voices of concerned families and educators could be heard.
“We refuse to be erased,” said IDRA President & CEO Celina Moreno. “The Legislature tried to deny students, teachers and our broad-based coalition the opportunity to participate in the policymaking process because they couldn’t handle the truth about HB 3979.”
The bill will also prohibit schools from accessing private funding for certain curriculum development and materials and will bar students from participating in civics activities for course credit. An IDRA analysis found that the bill conflicts with many of the state’s curriculum standards in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
The costs of HB 3979 are likely to be high for the state and school districts, considering the loss in private funding and costs to defend against probable litigation, replace instructional materials, settle contract disputes, and rework educator training.
Ninety-five organizations opposed HB 3979, including student coalitions, school districts, chambers of commerce, community groups, religious organizations and educator associations.
Over 200 historians issued a letter in opposition to the bill stating, “A truthful accounting of history will allow students to learn the lessons of the past to help build a more equal and inclusive future.” Several school districts threatened litigation against the bill, and legislators received over 14,600 emails urging them to oppose the bill.
House Bill 3979 threatens the classroom learning, educator professional development, and student engagement opportunities that are happening in schools across the state. This bill, like the similar ones being filed in other states, is an embarrassment to Texas. We harm our students – particularly our Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian American students – when we do not help them to engage in thoughtful and truthful conversations about the racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination we know impact their lives.
We are dismayed by this horrendous bill, but we remain committed to continuing our work to create safe and culturally-sustaining schools that serve all students.
