2021 -- S 0076

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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 -- CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Cano, Lawson, Euer, Pearson, Miller, McCaffrey,
Sosnowski, Ruggerio, and Seveney

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read

as follows:

     16-22-2. Civics education Civics education standards and graduation requirement.

     (a) The general assembly recognizes the importance of a citizenry well educated in the

principles of democracy as enunciated in the constitutions of the state of Rhode Island and the

United States. The general assembly directs the board of regents for elementary and secondary

education to develop and adopt a set of grade level standards K-12 in civics education no later than

August 31, 2007. These standards shall include, but not be limited to, the history of the state of

Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, and

the principals of democracy. These civic education standards shall be used in the public schools of

this state beginning in kindergarten and continuing through to and including grade 12. No private

school or private instruction shall be approved for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title unless the

course of study shall make provision for instruction substantially equivalent to that required by this

chapter for public schools.

     (b) Commencing with the graduating class of 2022 and all graduating classes thereafter, all

high school students attending public schools, or any other schools managed and controlled by the

state, shall demonstrate proficiency, as defined by the local school district, in civics education that

shall also satisfy at least one-half credit or course requirement in history and social studies.

     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 -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would require that commencing with the graduating class of 2022 and all

subsequent graduating classes thereafter, all high school students attending public schools shall

fulfill at least one-half credit or course requirement in civics education.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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