Texas State Mandated Recognition Days

August 26 is Women’s Independence Day to commemorate the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote.

Women’s Independence Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate programs in the public schools and other places to inspire a greater appreciation of the importance of women’s suffrage.

Texas Government Code 662.051

September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month to increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and encourage the development of partnerships between the federal government, health care professionals, and patient advocacy groups to advance the public’s understanding of the condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, and support research for a cure.

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public schools and other places to increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

Texas Government Code 662.106

September 11 is Texas First Responders Day in honor of the bravery, courage, and determination of Texas men and women who assist others in emergencies.

Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies in the public schools and other places to honor Texas first responders. Each governmental entity may determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes Texas First Responders Day.

Texas Government Code 662.050

To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, in each year that date falls on a regular school day, each public elementary or secondary school shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence at the beginning of the first-class period of that day.

Immediately before the period of observance required by this section, the class instructor shall make a statement of reference to the memory of individuals who died on September 11, 2001.

Texas Education Code 25.0821

To educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded, the week in which September 17 falls is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools. For purposes of this subsection, Sunday is considered the first day of the week.

Texas Education Code 29.907

*The introduction to the Social Studies standards also includes student expectations for Celebrate Freedom Week in grades 3 – 12. Those expectations are reflected in the district’s curriculum.

The last Friday in September is American Indian Heritage Day in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made to this state.

American Indian Heritage Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in the public schools and other places to honor American Indians in this state and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture.

Texas Government Code 662.056

November 3 is Father of Texas Day in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer patriot and the real and true Father of Texas.

Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools and other places to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F. Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state.

Texas Government Code 662.045

January 6 is Sam Rayburn Day in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam Rayburn.

Sam Rayburn Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate programs in the public schools and other places to commemorate the birthday of Sam Rayburn.

Texas Government Code 662.041

To educate students about the Holocaust and inspire in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities, the governor shall designate a week to be known as Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools.

Holocaust Remembrance Week shall include age- appropriate instruction, as determined by each school district. Instruction shall include: information about the history of and lessons learned from the Holocaust; participation, in person or using technology, in learning projects about the Holocaust; and the use of materials developed or approved by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission.

Texas Education Code 29.9072

To educate students about the sacrifices made by brave Texans who have served in the armed forces of the United States, the governor shall designate a day to be known as Texas Military Heroes Day in public schools.

Texas Military Heroes Day shall include appropriate instruction, as determined by each school district. Instruction may include: information about persons who have served in the armed forces of the United States and are from the community or the geographic area in which the district is located; and participation, in person or using technology, in age-appropriate learning projects at battlefields and gravesites associated with a person who has served in the armed forces.

Texas Education Code 29.9071

STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY

(STAR DAY). (a) February 19 is State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the State of Texas in 1846.

State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools and other places to properly commemorate the annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation for the history of this state.

Texas Government Code 662.046

March is Texas History Month in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas’ history.

Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools and other places to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas history.

Texas Government Code 662.102

March 1st is designated as Texas Girls in STEM Day to celebrate and encourage the participation of girls in this state in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Texas Girls in STEM Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in public schools, public institutions of higher education, and other places to: encourage girls in this state to consider career fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and celebrate and honor the women of this state who have excelled in those fields.

Texas Government Code 662.073

The second Wednesday in May of each year is Public School Paraprofessional Day in recognition of education paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors.

Public School Paraprofessional Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools and other places to properly recognize the paraprofessionals who have made tremendous contributions to the educational process.

Texas Government Code 662.049

To educate middle school, junior high school, and high school students about the importance of higher education, each school district and each open- enrollment charter school offering any of those grade levels shall designate one week during the school year as Generation Texas Week.

During the designated week, each middle school, junior high school, and high school shall provide students with comprehensive grade-appropriate information regarding the pursuit of higher education. The information provided must include information regarding: higher education options available to students; standard admission requirements for institutions of higher education, including: overall high school grade point average; required curriculum; college readiness standards and expectations as determined under Section 28.008 (Advancement of College Readiness in Curriculum); and scores necessary on generally recognized tests or assessment instruments used in admissions determinations, including the Scholastic Assessment Test and the American College Test; automatic admission of certain students to general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section 51.803 (Automatic Admission: All Institutions); and financial aid availability and requirements, including the financial aid information provided by school counselors under Section 33.007 (Counseling Regarding Postsecondary Education)(b).

In addition to the information provided under Subsection (b), each middle school, junior high school, and high school shall provide to the students during the designated week at least one public speaker to promote the importance of higher education.

Texas Education Code 29.911