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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE CIVIC LITERACY ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Amore, Carson, Noret, Kislak, Casimiro, and
Fenton-Fung

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2021

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 22.3

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THE CIVIC LITERACY ACT

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     16-22.3-1. Short Title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Civic Literacy Act."

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     16-22.3-2. Legislative Findings.

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     The legislature finds and declares that:

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     (1) The adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the signing

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of the United States Constitution were principal events in the history of the United States. The

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Declaration of Independence providing the philosophical foundation on which this nation rests and

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the Constitution of the United States providing its structure of government.

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     (2) It is essential to the health of Rhode Island and of our republic, that all citizens be

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knowledgeable about democratic principles and practices, including the fundamental documents of

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the United States Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, the United States

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Constitution, and the Rhode Island Constitution.

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     (3) Many Americans lack even the most basic knowledge and understanding of the history

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of our nation, fundamental democratic principles, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the

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participatory skills necessary for effective and responsible participation as competent citizens.

 

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     (4) Providing civic education and promoting good citizenship and understanding of

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fundamental democratic principles should be a core mission of our state’s schools.

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     (5) The survival of the republic requires that our nation’s children, the future guardians of

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its heritage, and participants in its governance, have a firm, actionable knowledge and

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understanding of its principles and history.

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     16-22.3-3. Purpose.

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     The purpose and intent of this chapter is to require all students between grades eight (8)

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and twelve (12), attending public schools, or other schools managed and controlled by the state of

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Rhode Island, to complete a course in American Civics proficiency, as defined in § 16-22.3-6,

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through project based assessment, commencing with the graduating class of 2025, and all

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graduating classes thereafter.

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     16-22.3-4. Administration.

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     The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall adopt and promulgate rules

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and regulations for the administration of this chapter to:

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     (1) Specifically provide for curriculum content and teacher training to ensure the intent of

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this legislation.

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     (2) Create a project-based civics learning assessment for district adoption, requiring

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students to conduct analytical research on a local community issue of his or her choice, engage an

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institution of government to influence the issue, and fulfill a summative assessment to demonstrate

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the process and outcomes.

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     (3) Articulate specific quantifiable standards for student-led civics projects and support

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local education agencies in the implementation.

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     (4) Prioritize supporting course implementation in districts that serve historically

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underserved students, including low-income, immigrant or refugee students.

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     16-22.3-5. Funding for Civics Education.

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     (a) There shall be established and set up on the accounts of the Rhode Island department

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of education, a separate fund to be known as the "civics project trust fund." The fund shall be

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administered by the Rhode Island commissioner of education. The fund shall be funded with:

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     (1) Revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the legislature and

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specifically designated to be credited to the fund;

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     (2) Interest earned on the revenues set forth in subsection (a)(1) of this section; and

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     (3) Funds from public or private sources such as gifts, grants and any other donations to

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further civic education and professional development.

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     (b) The amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any

 

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money remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund. The

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amounts credited to the fund may focus on underserved communities, including those school

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districts with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students, and may be expended,

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without further appropriation, by the commissioner of education to administer the requirements set

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forth in §§ 16-22.3-3 and 16-22.3-4, and further ensuring a diverse teacher workforce, in the subject

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matter of social studies, that reflects student demographics to the maximum extent possible.

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     16-22.3-6. Reporting and assessment.

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     (a) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall submit an annual report

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to the governor and the legislature describing the specific rules and regulations issued pursuant to

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this chapter and reporting the effectiveness of these rules and regulations, as measured by the

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passage of the course or courses pursuant to § 16-22.3-3.

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     (b) For purposes of statewide accountability, proficiency in civics education means the

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development of civics knowledge regarding the history and heritage of the United States,

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foundational documents, and the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local documents, as

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well as the development of skills to access, analyze, debate and evaluate media, historical trends,

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and public policy issues related to the common good.

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     16-22.3-7. Severability.

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     If any provisions of this chapter are declared unconstitutional, or the applicability of any

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provisions to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of

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the chapter and its applicability to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE CIVIC LITERACY ACT

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     This act would require the implementation of the civic literacy act for all students between

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the eighth grade and twelfth grade, attending public schools, or other schools managed and

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controlled by the state of Rhode Island, requiring the students to demonstrate proficiency in civics

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education, commencing with the graduating class of 2025 and all graduating classes thereafter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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