Social studies curriculum in an era of state restricted civic participation: Responding to Texas Senate Bill 3 with the Rights of the Learner

How can teachers engage students in participatory civic education in a state like Texas where education policy is interfering with the Rights of the Learner by refusing to allow educators to support students in becoming active participants in vital democratic processes? Texas Senate Bill 3, passed in 2021, prohibits teachers from directly supporting students in communicating with their elected officials and advocating for legislation as a part of their classroom experiences. This article draws on a framework of Black Critical Patriotism and action civics in response to the challenges posed by S.B. 3 imposed upon educators introducing authentic civic experiences to students. We argue that simulations rooted in the foundations of these frameworks and centering the Rights of the Learner provide for authentic experiences in classrooms where students can develop their civic identities to encourage lifelong civic participation.