Senate Bill 3 (SB3)

The bill can be located on the Texas Legislature Online website. 

December 2, 2021

The District remains strongly committed to its racial equity policies. Dallas ISD will adhere to the requirement of Senate Bill 3; however, this bill will not compromise the district’s racial equity efforts.

A cross-departmental Task Force researched the requirements of SB3 and created a District-wide Communication and Implementation Plan that includes guidance documents, FAQs, and training videos. These resources are available at www.dallasisd.org/SB3

Senate Bill 3 prohibits school districts from requiring any administrator, teacher, or staff member to engage in training, orientation, or therapy that presents any form of race or sex stereotyping, blame on the basis of race or sex, or relation of slavery or racism to the founding principles of the United States.

The District remains firmly committed to its racial equity policies. Dallas ISD will adhere to the requirements of Senate Bill3; however, this bill will not compromise the District’s racial equity efforts.

No, unlike House Bill 3979, Senate Bill 3 broadens the scope to the entire K-12 curriculum, not just social studies courses.

Dallas ISD fully supports our teachers for being dedicated professionals, who can navigate and guide respectful discussions about current events that are a vital part of helping students achieve academically and prepare for life outside the classroom.

A cross-departmental Task Force researched the requirements of Senate Bill 3 and created a District-wide Communication and Implementation Plan that includes guidance documents, FAQs, and training videos. These resources will prepare teachers to adhere to the new legislation.

Senate Bill 3 does not create a private cause of action. This means that the legislation cannot serve as the basis of a lawsuit against a teacher, administrator or school employee. The District provides legal representation to employees who are sued in their official capacity and who were acting within the course of their employment.

Dallas ISD fully supports our teachers for being dedicated professionals, who can navigate and guide respectful discussions about current events. These conversations are a vital part of helping students achieve academically and prepare for life outside the classroom.

There is not a specific change to teacher discipline resulting from the new law. All employees are expected to adhere to state law and board policy. A teacher who chooses to discuss a particular current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs shall, to the best of the teacher's ability, strive to explore that topic from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.

The legislation prohibits school districts from disciplining students “in any manner that would result in the punishment of a student for reasonably discussing” (1) any current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs in school or during a school-sponsored activity, or (2) “have a chilling effect” on reasonable student discussions on the concepts outlined in the legislation while at school or during a school-sponsored activity.  The concepts are:

1. One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
2. An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
3. An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race;
4. An individual’s moral character, standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race or sex;
5. An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed in the past by other member of the same race or sex;
6. Meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race;
7. The advent of slavery in the territory that is now the United States; or
8. With respect to their relationship to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to, the authentic founding principles of the United States, which include liberty and equality.

Please be aware that Dallas ISD’s Student Code of Conduct does not include punishment for reasonable student discussions of the concepts outlined in the legislation, nor does it provide punishment of students for reasonable discussions on any current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.

Dallas ISD fully supports our teachers for being dedicated professionals, who can navigate and guide respectful discussions about current events. These conversations are a vital part of helping students achieve academically and prepare for life outside the classroom.

Under SB 3, teachers may not be compelled to discuss a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs. However, if teachers choose to discuss a current event or controversial issue of public policy or social affairs, they must explore the topic objectively and free from political bias. One way to do this is to encourage respectful discussion of different points of view.

In keeping with best practices, teachers are encouraged to continue using relevant current events that align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, while developing students’ critical thinking skills. Teachers must explore the topic objectively and free from political bias. One way to do this is to encourage respectful discussion of different points of view.

Students can choose to discuss current events of a controversial nature and cannot be punished for engaging in a reasonable discussion on those topics.

In keeping with best practices, teachers are encouraged to continue using relevant current events that align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), while developing students’ critical thinking skills. Teachers must explore the topic objectively and free from political bias. One way to do this is to encourage respectful discussion of different points of view.

Under Senate Bill 3, teachers may not be compelled to discuss a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs. However, if teachers choose to discuss a current event or controversial issue of public policy or social affairs, they must explore the topic objectively and free from political bias.

Also, Senate Bill 3 allows students to discuss current events of a controversial nature, without being punished for engaging in a reasonable discussion on those topics.

Parents will continue to have a right to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent's child, including while the child is participating in virtual or remote learning. The district has the right to specify reasonable hours for review.

Senate Bill 3 specifically requires school districts that use a learning management system or any online learning portal to assign, distribute, present, or make available instructional materials to students to provide login credentials to the system or portal to each student's parent.

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

Texas Education Code, Section 26.010 provides a narrow exemption from instruction. A parent is entitled to remove the student temporarily from a class or other school activity that conflicts with the parent's religious or moral beliefs if the parent presents or delivers to the teacher of the student a written statement authorizing the removal of the child from the class or other school activity.  A parent is not, however, entitled to remove the student from a class or other school activity to avoid a test or to prevent the child from taking a subject for an entire semester. A student is also not exempt from satisfying grade level or graduation requirements in a manner acceptable to the school district.

Any District resident may formally challenge an instructional resource used in the District’s educational program, except for textbooks and their ancillary/supplementary materials adopted through the textbook adoption process, on the basis of appropriateness. The policy outlines the process for addressing those concerns.

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

Senate Bill 3 prohibits District employees from requiring or making part of any K-12 course inculcation in certain concepts. Inculcation is defined as teaching and impressing beliefs or ideas in someone’s mind, especially by frequent repetitions. Prohibited concepts are:

1. One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
2. An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
3. An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race;
4. An individual’s moral character, standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race or sex;
5. An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed in the past by other member of the same race or sex;
6. Meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race;
7. The advent of slavery in the territory that is now the United States; or
8. With respect to their relationship to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to, the authentic founding principles of the United States, which include liberty and equality.

Inculcation does not refer to the Close Reading Protocol. This reading strategy asks students to carefully and purposefully read and reread a text. When students “close read,” they focus on what the author has to say, what the author’s purpose is, what the words mean, and what the structure of the text tells us. This approach ensures that students really understand what they’ve read.

Under Senate Bill 3, teachers may not be compelled to discuss a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs. However, if teachers choose to discuss a current event or controversial issue of public policy or social affairs, they must explore the topic objectively and free from political bias.

In context, during instruction with students, the expectation is that instruction is provided to the mastery of the state standards without yielding or submitting to personal judgment, opinion, or will to one political viewpoint.

Senate Bill 3 requires that a teacher who chooses to discuss a particular current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs shall, to the best of the teacher's ability, strive to explore that topic from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.

Deference in this context means to give respect.

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

As occurs after each legislative session, board policies are reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the law. To the extent necessary, board policies will be updated.

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

The adoption of instructional materials will continue to follow the review and adoption process established by the State Board of Education (SBOE). The new legislation does not change this process. Instructional materials will continue to comply with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.   

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

The purchase of library materials should continue to follow existing district procedures and align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. 

Senate Bill 3 does not prohibit the purchase of specific materials. The legislation does prohibit the inculcation of certain concepts. The prohibited concepts are:

1. one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
2. an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
3. an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race or sex;
4. an individual’s moral character, standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race or sex;
5. an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed by other members of the same race or sex;
6. meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race;
7. the advent of slavery in the territory that is now the United States constituted the true founding of the United States; or
8. with respect to their relationship to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to the authentic founding principles of the United States, which include liberty and equality.

Parents will continue to have a right to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent's child, including while the child is participating in virtual or remote learning. The district has the right to specify reasonable hours for review. 

Senate Bill 3 specifically requires school districts that use a learning management system or any online learning portal to assign, distribute, present, or make available instructional materials to students to provide login credentials to the system or portal to each student's parent.

Senate Bill 3 defines instructional materials as outlined in Texas Education Code, Section 31.002. Per the statute, instruction material is “content that conveys the essential knowledge and skills of a subject in the public school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student.  The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open education resource instructional material.”

No, Senate Bill 3 does not ban any books. The new law does not specifically mention books or school libraries. Also, Senate Bill 3 does not restrict which books schools are allowed to stock in the library. The inclusion of instructional materials should continue to follow existing district procedures and align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements.

The legislation does prohibit the inculcation of certain concepts. The prohibited concepts are:

1. one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
2. an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
3. an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race or sex;
4. an individual’s moral character, standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race or sex;
5. an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed by other members of the same race or sex;
6. meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race;
7. the advent of slavery in the territory that is now the United States constituted the true founding of the United States; or
8. with respect to their relationship to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to the authentic founding principles of the United States, which include liberty and equality.

Senate Bill 3 states that TEA must create a civics training program by December 2022 for teachers and administrators to facilitate teaching the civics curriculum standards. Only designated district staff members will be required to attend the training.

Senate Bill 3 applies to instructional courses and subjects. If an extracurricular activity is part of a course, Senate Bill 3 will apply.

Yes, students remain able to volunteer on their own for civic activities.

To clarify, Senate Bill 3 prohibits districts, schools, and teachers from providing a grade, course credit, or extra credit to student participation in the following civic activities:

1. work for, affiliation with, or service learning in association with any organization engaged in:
   • lobbying for legislation at the federal, state, or local level, if the student's duties involve directly or indirectly attempting to influence social or public policy or the outcome of legislation; or
   • social policy advocacy or public policy advocacy;
2. political activism, lobbying, or efforts to persuade members of the legislative or executive branch at the federal, state, or local level to take specific actions by direct communication; or
3. participation in any internship, practicum, or similar activity involving social policy advocacy or public policy advocacy

All other civic activities are still allowed. 

Senate Bill 3’s limitations do not apply to a student’s participation in certain community charitable projects or an internship or practicum for which the student received course credit under the P-TECH program and that did not involve the student directly engaging in lobbying, social policy advocacy, or public policy advocacy. Also, the limitation does not include a program that prepares a student for participation and leadership in the country’s democratic process at the federal, state, or local level.

Teaching students about historical activism aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements.is allowed. However, assigning tasks and/or awarding course credit for student activism is prohibited. 

Senate Bill 3’s limitations do not apply to a student’s participation in certain community charitable projects or an internship or practicum for which the student received course credit under the P-TECH program and that did not involve the student directly engaging in lobbying, social policy advocacy, or public policy advocacy. Also, the limitation does not include a program that prepares a student for participation and leadership in the country’s democratic process at the federal, state, or local level.

Dallas ISD welcomes volunteers to positively impact students. All volunteers will continue to be required to adhere to state law and Board policy and are expected to adhere to the District’s guidelines on this new law.

There are existing resources through which alleged misconduct reports can be made and resolved. These resources include the following:

1. Supervisor and/or next level supervisor;
2. Employee Relations/Ombudsman Program;
3. Dallas ISD Hotline; and
4. The Professional Standards Office

In keeping with our current practice, all items will follow standard state and federal procurement procedures. 

Senate Bill 3 prohibits the acceptance of private funding to develop curriculum, purchase or select curriculum materials, or provide teacher training or professional development that is related to the prohibited concepts. In keeping with our current practice, conformity with legal requirements and Board policy will be reviewed prior to private funding being accepted.