Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires civics education for students grades 8-12.

Highlights:

• Requires 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 following (Sec. 1.a):

• The history of the state of Rhode Island;

• Representative government

• The rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship; and

• The principles of democracy. 

• Specifies civic education standards will 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 will be approved for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title unless the course of study will make provision for instruction substantially equivalent to that required by this law for public schools (Sec. 1.a).

• Requires all middle and high school students attending public schools, or any other schools managed and controlled by the state, to demonstrate proficiency, as defined by the local school district, in civics education that also satisfies half credit or course requirement in history and social studies (Sec. 1.b).

• Requires each public school district to provide not less than one student-led civics project for students during either middle or high school; provided, however, that each such project will be consistent with the history and social studies standards and frameworks promulgated by the Rhode Island board of education. Civics projects may be individual, small group or class wide, and designed to promote a student's ability to (Sec. 1.c):

• Reason, make logical arguments and support claims using valid evidence; and

• Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between federal, state and local policies, including issues that may impact the student's community.

Full Bill Text