TX HB1457

Adds a mandatory one-half credit course on modern conflicts to the foundation high school program social studies requirements, increasing total social studies credits from 3 to 3.5

Reduces elective credits from 5 to 4.5 to accommodate the new required course

Requires the modern conflicts course to cover the history of Russia/Soviet Union, including the Bolshevik Revolution, Chernobyl disaster, Soviet collapse, Reagan's speeches, and political ideologies like Leninism and Stalinism

Mandates instruction on the People's Republic of China (Communist Party rise, Great Leap Forward, Tiananmen Square, Tibet, treatment of Uyghurs), North Korea, Communist Cuba, and the Cambodian Genocide

Requires coverage of the Gulf War, September 11 attacks, and the Iraq/Afghan Wars including histories of Saddam Hussein, the Taliban, Osama Bin Laden, and ISIS

Applies to students entering ninth grade during the 2025-2026 school year or later; takes effect immediately with two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025