AB 563

This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction to promulgate

rules to develop a model curriculum and instructional materials for grades

kindergarten to 12 on civic education to prepare pupils to be civically responsible and

knowledgeable adults. The model curriculum and instructional materials must be

designed to assist pupils in developing all of the following:

1. An understanding of pupils' shared rights and responsibilities as residents

of this state and the United States and of the founding principles of the United

States.

2. A sense of civic pride and desire to participate regularly with government

at the local, state, and federal levels.

3. An understanding of the process for effectively advocating before

governmental bodies and officials.

4. An understanding of the civic-minded expectations of an upright and

desirable citizenry that recognizes and accepts responsibility for preserving and

defending the benefits of liberty inherited from previous generations and secured by

the U.S. Constitution.

5. Knowledge of other nations' governing philosophies, including communism,

socialism, and totalitarianism, and an understanding of how those philosophies

compare with the philosophy and principles of freedom and representative

democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States.

The state superintendent must curate oral history resources to be used along

with the model curriculum. The bill requires school boards, independent charter

schools, and private schools to include in their respective curricula instruction in

civic education that is consistent with the model curriculum.

Finally, under current law, a school board may grant a high school diploma to

a pupil only if the pupil meets specific statutory requirements, including earning a

certain number of credits in various subjects in the high school grades. Currently,

a pupil must earn at least three credits of social studies, including state and local

government. The bill specifies that the social studies credits also must include

one-half credit of civics instruction.