SB 837

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 civics 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.

Under the bill, the state superintendent must curate oral history resources to

be used along with the model curriculum. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the

bill requires school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools

participating in a parental choice program to include in their respective curricula

instruction in civics that includes the five components required to be included in the

model curriculum. The bill also requires school boards, independent charter schools,

and private schools participating in a parental choice program to annually report to

the Department of Public Instruction regarding how they are meeting the civics

instruction requirement created under the bill. DPI must then compile the

information and submit it to the legislature.

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. This graduation requirement first applies to

pupils who graduate in the 2027-28 school year.