Schools would be required to teach about the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 under a bill that passed out of a Senate committee Tuesday.

Teachers often skip that chapter of American history because it's so recent and they run out of time, said Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, sponsor of SB 1422.

While the 'yes' vote was unanimous, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff said she's not sure it's a good idea for the Legislature to micromanage school curriculums.

Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, said it's important that Sept. 11 be taught, but students should also be required to learn about civil rights issues.

Rather than pass a law, said legislative watchdog Brian Pitts, senators should ask school districts to make sure they buy textbooks that include the attacks.

“You need to find out what the book has in it now,” Pitts said. “This bill is probably not necessary.”

Altman’s response: “Some things get lost in the process. If we don’t oversee and make sure things are done right, who will?”