SB 216 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0969
10/08
SENATE BILL 216
SPONSORS: Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Gendreau, Dist 1; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes requirements for the teaching of civics in schools, defines a civics education, and establishes the New Hampshire civics education commission.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0969
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Schools; Instruction in Civics Education. Amend RSA 189:11 to read as follows:
189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government, and 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. [Such instruction shall begin not later than the beginning of the eighth grade and shall continue in all high schools as a component of a one credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire history and a one-half credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire government/civics.]
I-a. In all public, chartered public, private, and privately incorporated schools that serve as public schools in the state, there shall be given:
(a) Dedicated class time for civics in each elementary grade, which can be integrated with other subjects;
(b) A half-year course, or the equivalent of a half-year civics course in middle school (grades 6, 7, or 8); and
(c) A half-year course of instruction in civics in high school required for high school graduation.
I-b. In this section, "civics” means a nonpartisan educational program that addresses the following:
(a) Civic knowledge, the acquisition of knowledge, including an understanding of the history, heritage, civic life, and civic institutions of the United States.
(b) Civic skills, the acquisition of skills, such as the ability to analyze text and determine the reliability of sources and an understanding of the ways in which civic institutions operate and how individuals may be involved in civic life.
(c) Civic dispositions, the acquisition of dispositions, values such as appreciation for free speech, civil discourse, and understanding perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that differ from one’s own as well as a disposition to be civically engaged.
(d) Civic behaviors, the development of behaviors, including civic habits and practices such as voting, serving on juries, engagement in deliberative discussions, volunteering, attending public meetings, and other activities related to civic life.
I-c. A school district shall develop and offer the United States and New Hampshire [government/civics] government course under paragraph I and the civics course under paragraph I-a. [and] At a minimum, the [course] courses shall include instruction in the following areas:
(a) Opportunities and responsibilities for civic involvement.
(b) Skills to effectively participate in civic affairs.
(c) The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United States.
(d) The New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New Hampshire.
(e) The structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments: legislative, judicial, and executive.
(f) The role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity.
(g) The role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to local governments.
(h) How federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.
(i) The role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of monetary policy.
(j) How intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination have evolved in the past, and can evolve, into genocide and mass violence, such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices.
II. As a component of instruction under [paragraph I] this section, 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 required high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. To be eligible for a graduation certificate, a student shall attain a locally sanctioned passing grade on the competency assessment, and a grade of 70 percent or better on the 128 question civics (history and government) naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services. Schools are required to provide accommodations and may modify the naturalization examination for a child with a disability in accordance with the child's individualized education program. By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.
2 Application; Civics Education. The amendment to RSA 189:11 by this act shall be implemented by the department of education, schools, and school districts by July 2024.
3 New Section; New Hampshire Civics Education Commission. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 10 the following new section:
189:10-a New Hampshire Civics Education Commission.
I. There is established within the department of education the New Hampshire civics education commission. The commission is tasked with:
(a) Implementation and accountability for the 2023 amendments to RSA 189:11 on civics education requirements.
(b) The provision and distribution of civics curriculum and professional development to all schools in New Hampshire.
(c) Assurance of evenhandedness in the civics education experience and in opportunities and access for all students.
II. The commission shall consist of:
(a) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(b) The New Hampshire Civics Executive Director, or designee.
(c) In consultation with the board of the New Hampshire Council for the Social Studies, the governor shall appoint 3 educators with experience, expertise, and commitment to civics education. One educator shall be a high school teacher, the second shall be a middle school teacher (grades 6, 7, or 8), and the third shall be an elementary school teacher (grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5).
(d) The New Hampshire School Administrator Association executive director, or designee.
(e) The New Hampshire School Boards Association executive director, or designee.
(f) The New Hampshire Bar Foundation President, or designee.
(g) The New Hampshire League of Women Voters president, or designee.
(h) In consultation with the board of the New Hampshire Council for the Social Studies, the governor shall appoint a professor or instructor who teaches social studies education at the college level.
(i) The New Hampshire Historical Society president, or designee.
(j) The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation president, or designee.
(k) The NEA-NH president, or designee.
(l) The AFT-NH president, or designee.
(m) One member appointed by the president of the New Hampshire senate and one member appointed by the speaker of the New Hampshire house of representatives, each of whom shall have demonstrated expertise in education and a record of strong civic participation.
III. The commissioner of education shall call the first meeting. The commission shall elect a chairperson at the first meeting.
IV. An interim report will be completed by July 2026 by the chair of the commission, which will summarize the work of the commission, assess the implementation process, identify and share best practices, identify and share professional development and curricular resources, and identify next steps. A final report shall be completed by July of 2028 by the chair of the commission to further assess the implementation process in all school districts of the state, to identify a mechanism to ensure the professional development and curricular resources are available to all schools and utilized by all schools, and to identify next steps. Both reports shall be submitted to the governor, the commissioner of the department of education, the senate president, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the house, the house majority leader, the house minority leader, members of both senate and house education committees, and each school district’s superintendent.
4 Repeal; 2028. RSA 189:10-a, relative to the New Hampshire civics education commission, is repealed.
I. Section 4 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2028.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2023.