SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Civics Education and Civic Literacy Act.”

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

The Legislature finds that:

An informed and engaged citizenry is essential to the preservation of democratic institutions and the American system of government;

Students should graduate from high school with a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, and principles of American government;

Students should understand the historical foundations of American democracy and be able to compare democratic principles with conflicting political ideologies; and

Civic literacy is fundamental to responsible citizenship and participation in democratic society.

Therefore, the Legislature declares that, in order to ensure that all students are prepared for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, successful completion of at least two semesters of United States government or civics courses, or the passage of a comprehensive civics examination, shall be required for high school graduation.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Act:

“Civic literacy” means the knowledge and understanding of civics and government necessary for informed and engaged citizenship.

“State board” means the state board of education.

“Local education agency” means a public school district or charter school.

SECTION 4. CIVICS EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

(a) Course Requirements

Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the [XXXX–XX] school year, each student shall be required to successfully complete at least two semesters of United States government or civics courses under this section as a condition for graduation from high school. A student shall be exempt from this requirement if the student achieves a score of at least eighty percent (80%) on the assessment described in Section 5.

(b) Curriculum Standards

The United States government or civics courses required under subsection (a) shall include instruction in:

1. The roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments;
2. The structures, powers, and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government;
3. The meaning and significance of historic documents, including but not limited to:
   1. The Ten Commandments
   2. The Magna Carta
   3. The Mayflower Compact
   4. The Declaration of Independence
   5. The Articles of Confederation
   6. The Constitution of the United States
   7. The Bill of Rights
   8. The Federalist Papers
4. The principles of federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, consent of the governed, ordered liberty, justice, the rule of law, limited government, individual responsibility, natural rights, republicanism, and the equal dignity of all human beings;
5. Individual rights and responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution, including also the expressed, implied, concurrent, and reserved powers;
6. The electoral process and democratic participation; and
7. A comparative discussion of political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States.

(c) Instructional Approach

The instruction required under this section shall:

1. Encourage critical thinking and civil discourse;
2. Emphasize the importance of civic participation and democratic values;
3. Include primary source documents and historical analysis; and
4. Shall not present a false, misleading, or disproportionately negative portrayal of America, its history, or its governing institutions.

SECTION 5. CIVIC LITERACY ASSESSMENT

(a) Assessment Requirement

Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the [XXXX–XX] school year, each student shall demonstrate civic literacy by passing an assessment identified by the state board as a requirement for graduation from high school.

(b) Assessment Standards

The civic literacy assessment required under subsection (a) shall:

1. Be based on the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services;
2. Include questions covering the curriculum standards specified in Section 4(b);
3. Require a passing score of seventy percent (70%) or higher; and
4. Be administered in a manner determined by the state board.

(c) Retesting Opportunities

Students who do not achieve a passing score of at least seventy percent (70%) on the initial assessment shall be provided with: additional instruction and support; multiple opportunities to retake the assessment; and alternative demonstration methods as approved by the state board for students with documented disabilities.

SECTION 6. STATE BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The state board shall:

1. Develop or adopt curriculum standards consistent with the requirements of Section 4,
2. Identify or develop the civic literacy assessment required under Section 5,
3. Establish procedures for the administration of the assessment,
4. Provide guidance and support to local education agencies for implementation,
5. Adopt training programs for civics instructors, and
6. Review and update the curriculum standards and assessment as necessary.

SECTION 7. LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES

Each local education agency shall:

1. Ensure that the required civics courses are offered and available to all students,
2. Provide qualified instructors for the required courses,
3. Administer the civic literacy assessment as directed by the state board,
4. Maintain records of student completion of course requirements and assessment results, and
5. Provide remedial instruction and support for students who do not initially pass the assessment.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTATION AND TIMELINE

(a) Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on [DATE].

(b) Implementation Timeline

1. By [DATE]: The state board shall adopt curriculum standards and identify the civic literacy assessment.
2. By [DATE]: Local education agencies shall begin offering courses meeting the requirements of this Act.
3. Beginning with the [XXXX–XX] school year: All students entering ninth grade shall be subject to the requirements of this Act.

SECTION 9. FUNDING

Subject to legislative appropriation, the state board may provide funding to local education agencies to support: professional development for civics educators, curriculum materials and resources, assessment administration costs, and remedial instruction programs.

SECTION 10. REPORTING

Beginning on [DATE], the state board shall submit an annual report to the Legislature regarding: progress implementing the standards and assessments set forth in this act, student performance on the civic literacy assessment, recommendations for improvement, and any necessary modifications to the curriculum standards or assessment.

SECTION 11. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.