Revision: Jan. 24, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
SB 45 - AS INTRODUCED
2017 SESSION
17-0766
04/03
SENATE BILL 45
AN ACT requiring a course in civics for high school graduation.
SPONSORS: Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Rep. P. Long, Hills. 10
COMMITTEE: Education
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This bill provides that a one-half year civics course 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
17-0766
04/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
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 Instruction in National and State History and Government; Civics Instruction. Amend RSA 189:11 to read as follows:
189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government.
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. Such instruction shall begin not later than the [opening] beginning of the eighth grade, and shall continue in high school as [an identifiable] a component of a [year's] one-year course in the history and government of the United States and New Hampshire.
II. [As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. Students who attain a passing grade on the competency assessment shall be eligible for a certificate issued by the school district. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test may be used to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph.] A course of instruction in civics shall be given in all high schools in the state. The 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 department of education administrative rule Ed. 306.23(f). A school district shall develop and offer the civics course provided, at a minimum, the course includes instruction in the following areas:
(a) Duties and responsibilities of a citizen.
(b) Opportunities for citizen participation and involvement in the governmental process.
(c) The structure and operation of state and federal government.
(d) The constitutional basis of state and federal government.
(e) The interaction between local, state, and federal governments.
(f) Exposure to current governmental affairs.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.