HB435 (2005) Detail

Establishing a separate high school civics graduation requirement.


HB 435 – AS INTRODUCED

2005 SESSION

05-0362

04/09

HOUSE BILL 435

AN ACT establishing a separate high school civics graduation requirement.

SPONSORS: Rep. P. Smith, Rock 3; Rep. Whalley, Belk 5; Rep. Naro, Graf 7; Rep. Phinizy, Sull 5; Rep. Alger, Graf 6; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21; Sen. Letourneau, Dist 19; Sen. Boyce, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill provides that a one-half year course in civics shall be required for high school graduation.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

05-0362

04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

AN ACT establishing a separate high school civics graduation requirement.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 School Boards, Teachers; Instruction in Civics. Amend RSA 189:11 to read as follows:

189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government; Instruction in Civics.

I. In all public and private schools in the state there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the history, government, and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire, including the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county and state government and of the federal government.

II. [Such] The instruction required under paragraph I shall begin not later than the opening of the eighth grade and shall continue in all high [school as an identifiable component of] schools in the state which shall include a [year’s] one year course in the history [and government] of the United States and New Hampshire.

III. In all high schools in the state, there shall be given a course of instruction in civics. This course shall be a one-half unit of credit required for graduation, and shall replace one-half of the social studies elective unit of credit as set forth in the administrative rules of the department of education at Ed. 306.23(f). The civics course may be locally developed provided, at a minimum, the course provides exposure to current governmental affairs and covers the following areas:

(a) Duties and responsibilities of a citizen.

(b) Opportunities of citizen participation and involvement in the governmental process.

(c) The structure and operation of government.

(d) The constitutional basis of our government.

(e) The interaction between local, state, and federal governments.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.