SB 57 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/29/07 0870s
2007 SESSION
04/05
SENATE BILL 57
AN ACT requiring a course in civics for high school graduation.
SPONSORS: Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Foster, Dist 13; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21; Sen. Janeway, Dist 7; Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6; Sen. Reynolds, Dist 2; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Kelly, Dist 10; Sen. Downing, Dist 22
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/29/07 0870s
07-1256
04/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT requiring a course in civics for high school graduation.
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 1/2 of the social studies elective unit of credit as set forth in the administrative rules of the department of education. 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.