Tomorrow the House is considering HB 3979 – an anti-civics bill that censors teachers, silences Texas youth, and overrides local control in opposition to current social studies standards. Contact your representative NOW and tell them to VOTE NO on HB 3979. Keep reading to hear what Texas teachers have to say about the importance of civics:
Teachers advocate for our students every day. HB 3979 would limit our educators’ capacity to help our students become active citizens and would force them to ignore the problems facing their students.
HB 3979 would discourage educators from discussing current events and prevent experiential civic learning, although teachers say experiential learning helps students form personal connections with our history and institutions. HB 3979 would prevent students from contacting their representatives as part of their learning, an act that educators believe is central to helping students become involved citizens.
Students are capable of having civil conversations about issues, yet HB 3979 wants to remove the opportunity for that dialogue entirely by discouraging current events and “controversial” topics.
With schools within marginalized communities often being underfunded, HB 3979 would further limit their funding by prohibiting private financial assistance. Lack of funds has forced some to make cuts to civics programs.
Ensuring that all students are able to access the same information and opportunities around civics will create a more equitable society for our children to thrive in. We need more comprehensive civics in our curriculum, not censorship.
Teachers are tired of social studies being a partisan issue. Educators want their students to have more opportunities for engagement and they want state support so they can do their jobs without fearing partisan denunciation.
What you can do:
Call your representatives and tell them to vote NO on HB 3979.
Email your representative here.
