From the ECS State Policy Database Civic Education

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary CA Signed into law 09/2012 P-12 California Youth Leadership Project S.B. 803 Primarmily from bill summary: Defines "disconnected and disadvantaged youth" for purposes of these provisions to include, but not be limited... More... OH Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 American History and American Government S.B. 165 Directs the state board to incorporate into the grades 4-12 social studies standards content regarding the Declaration of Independence, the ... More... NV Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Citizenship S.B. 237 Provides for the creation of a nonprofit corporation, with a Board of Directors appointed by the Legislative Commission, to provide educatio... More... TN Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Curriculum Standards for US and State Government H.B. 1625 Requires the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to review the current elementary and secondary curr... More... TN Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Review of Civics Education Curriculum Standards S.B. 1483 Directs the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to review the curriculum standards for civics educat... More... NV Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Community Services S.B. 96 Encouraging a student who receives a Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship to volunteer at least 20 hours of community service per year.... More... IL Adopted 05/2011 P-12 Illinois Democracy Schools S.R. 149 Commends the efforts of those schools that have already taken the necessary steps to become Illinois Democracy Schools; encourages all secon... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Character Education S.B. 1055 Authorizes the Arizona Department of Education to annually retain 7% of the program's state matching grant funds for administrative purposes... More... UT Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Civic and Character Education H.B. 269 Directs each school district and the state charter school board to submit to the lieutenant governor and the commission on civic and charact... More... UT Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Character and Civic Education H.B. 327 Directs the state board of education to annually report to the education interim committee the methods used and the results being achieved t... More... KY Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Voting Information for 12th Grade Students H.B. 192 Requires secondary schools to provide information to 12th grade students on how to register to vote, vote in an election using a ballot, and... More... VA Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Commission on Civics Education S.B. 1054 Clarifies that the Commission on Civics Education will continue until July 1, 2012, if the Commission is funded by a separate appropriation ... More... NY Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Students as Election Inspectors or Poll Clerks A.B. 4467 Permits students age 17 and older, with parental consent, to serve as election inspectors or poll clerks at elections. Requires that such st... More... AZ Signed into law 05/2010 Postsec. Student Voter Registration H.B. 2668 AN ACT requiring universities and community colleges to adopt a plan to increase student voter registration and voting in elections. http:/... More... TN Signed into law 04/2010 P-12 Course of Instruction that Includes U.S. Government S.B. 3432 As enacted, urges civics class be taught in high school. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3432.pdf... More... HI Adopted 04/2010 P-12 Integration of a Pedagogy of Aloha H.C.R. 167-10 Requesting the board of education to adopt a policy for the integration of a pedagogy of aloha (the Hawaiian cultural principle that entails... More... VA Issued 03/2010 P-12 Postsec. Community College Establishing the Governor's Advisory Board on Volunteerism and National Service E.O. 20 Establishes Governor's Advisory Board on Volunteerism and National Service. The Board will comply with the provisions of the National and Co... More... VA Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Civics Education S.B. 715 Requires the Board of Education to promulgate regulations to require all education preparation programs for teachers in history and social s... More... CA Vetoed 10/2009 P-12 Excused Absence to Participate in Civic Engagement Activities A.B. 796 Amends existing law that authorizes a pupil to be excused from school for specified reasons. Includes civic engagement activities offered by... More... CA Signed into law 09/2009 P-12 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day A.B. 717 Requires the Governor to annually proclaim March 30 of each year as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. Encourages schools to conduct exercis... More... IL Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Congressional Medal of Honor Film S.B. 1675 Provides that each school district must require all students in grade 7 and all high school students enrolled in a course concerning U.S. hi... More... OH Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 1 - Section 3313.602 From DOE summary of H.B. 1: Prohibits school districts from preventing a teacher from having students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the... More... OR Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Citizenship H.B. 3473 Directs school districts that include a public high school to adopt plans to encourage students to register to vote and to vote in elections... More... TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Student Election Clerks S.B. 1134 Allows certain high school students to serve as election clerks. Provides an excused absence for such service. Adds new section 33.092 allow... More... OR Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Citizenship S.B. 374 Establishes Oregon Civics Day for Teachers on first Friday in December; urges school districts to encourage teachers to participate in profe... More... NV Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Citizenship Education S.B. 161 Changes the name of the Youth Legislative Issues Forum to the Youth Legislature; revising the appointment process and eligibility requiremen... More... WA Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Youth Advisory Council S.B. 5229 Eliminates the expiration of the legislative youth advisory council; provides that the council's duties are contingent on available funding.... More... WA Signed into law 04/2009 P-12 Civics Education H.B. 2132 Regards instruction in civics; requires the state board of education, if the board increases the number of course credits in social studies ... More... OK Signed into law 04/2009 P-12 Founding Documents; Religious Materials H.B. 1756 Directs each school district to adopt a policy, with grade-level-appropriate instructional levels, that assures that all students are encour... More... VA Signed into law 04/2009 P-12 Membership of the Commission on Civics Education S.B. 1453 Adds one nonlegislative citizen member, who must be a student that has successfully completed the civics curriculum in his school division, ... More... CA Signed into law 09/2008 P-12 civic education S.B. 1274 Requires that, when pupils are instructed with regard to the words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America a... More... IL Signed into law 08/2008 P-12 Postsec. Community College Commission on Children and Youth H.B. 4456 Creates the Commission on Children and Youth Act. Provides for membership, appointments, goals, recommendations, and reports. Provides that ... More... RI Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Juniors and Seniors as Election Officials H.B. 7833 Allows high school juniors and seniors to be appointed as election officials. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08231.htm... More... TN Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Instruction on Nonviolence H.B. 2790 Urges all public schools to provide instruction on nonviolence as means to conflict resolution as part of character education curriculum. - ... More... OK Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 H.B. 2229 Amends existing law which requires public school districts to include instruction concerning the Declaration of Independence and the United ... More... MD Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Student Voting Rights H.B. 1258 Declares the intent of the General Assembly that teachers of Baltimore City public high school students inform students about the federal, S... More... UT Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Registering High School Seniors to Vote S.B. 125 Modifies the Election Code by amending certain provisions for registering high school seniors to vote. http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/sbille... More... UT Adopted 03/2008 P-12 Standards for School District Discipline Plans R277-609 Provides that all charter schools (and schools if district does not have districtwide plan) must develop a school-wide written model for pre... More... LA Adopted 11/2007 P-12 Business Manager and Constitution Day LAC 28:CXV.503, 2305 Amends sections of Bulletin 741 - Handbook for School Administrators. 503: Adds business manager to the list of certified personnel a dist... More... MA To governor 11/2007 P-12 Commonwealth Corps S.B. 2301 Establishes the Commonwealth Corps; provides for volunteer community service; creates a pilot program for the Commonwealth Student Corps. ht... More... IL Signed into law 11/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College Election Judges and Election Day S.B. 662 Amends the Election Code. Allows high school juniors to serve as election judges. Allows an individual not entitled to vote in a precinct or... More... CA Vetoed 10/2007 P-12 Citizenship education A.B. 466 Authorizes service by a pupil as a member of a precinct board for an election to be independent study. Exempts that pupil from the requireme... More... CA Vetoed 09/2007 P-12 Citizenship A.B. 183 Requires each school district with at least one high school to report the voter registration efforts described in provisions of existing law... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Civic Education Advancement H.B. 2787 Provides that funding for civic education professional development for high school teachers must be provided by line item appropriation made... More... OR Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Task Force on Civics and Financial Education H.B. 2584 Creates a Task Force on Civics and Financial Education to study and make recommendations about how to increase and improve civics and financ... More... OR Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Student Voting S.B. 951 Directs community colleges and state institutions of higher education to adopt plans to encourage students to register to vote and to vote i... More... NC Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Excused Absences for Pages H.B. 1464 Directs the board of education to adopt rules providing for excused absences from school for legislative and governor's pages. http://www.nc... More... LA Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Legislative Youth Advisory Council S.B. 46 Establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council as an initiative under the administration of the state commission on civic education. Pro... More... CT Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Democracy Education in Elementary Schools H.B. 7017 Concerns democracy education in elementary schools; requires students in the fourth or fifth grade to take part in a program of participator... More... NV Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Nevada Youth Legislative Issues Forum S.B. 247 Create the Nevada Youth Legislative Issues Forum, consisting of 21 members who are enrolled in grades 9-12. Sets forth the powers and duties... More... KS Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Bullying Prevention and Character Education S.B. 68 (Section 4) Defines "bullying." Directs each local board, by January 2008, to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying on school property, in a school vehicl... More... MD Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Commission on Civic Literacy S.B. 492 Establishes a Commission on Civic Literacy; requires the Commission to elect specified officers from among its members; requires the State D... More... NH Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Civics and Economics Assessments H.B. 167 Adds civics and economics to the required areas of assessment in the statewide improvement and assessment program. Specifies that the assess... More... WA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Legislative Yourth Advisory Council H.B. 1052 Adds a new section acknowledging the importance of the legislative youth advisory council. Amends prior legislative appointment process to a... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Character Education, Charter Schools H.B. 2204 Concerns the Character Education Office; makes an appropriation; relates to public and charter schools. Changes administration of the progra... More... CO Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Display of Flags in Education and Other Institutions H.B. 1050 Concerns the display of flags. Allows display of flags from countries other than the U.S. or the state of Colorado under particular circumst... More... IA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Students as Precinct Election Board Members H.F. 618 Allows a county commissioner of elections to appoint high school students in good standing to serve as precinct election board members. http... More... ND Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Geography, Government Education S.B. 1172 Amends several pieces of required instruction; changes from United States history, geography, and government to 1) geography; 2) government;... More... VA Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Veterans Day Commemoration H.B. 2601 Requires the Board of Education to make available to local school divisions information regarding the commemoration of Veterans Day in publi... More... VA Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Commemoration of George Washington's Birthday H.B. 2837 Requires the Department of Education to make information available to local school divisions regarding the commemoration of George Washingto... More... WV Adopted 03/2007 P-12 Dec. 7, 1941 Day of Remembrance S.C.R. 51 Requests the Governor issue a proclamation on December 7th of each year declaring a State Day of Remembrance honoring all West Virginia patr... More... UT PREFILED 12/2006 P-12 Civic Education S.C.R. 2 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for civic education and Utah's Legislators Back to School P... More... NJ Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Gang Violence Instruction A.B. 1650; S.B. 1749 Requires boards of education to offer elementary school students instruction in gang violence prevention. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill... More... CA Vetoed 09/2006 P-12 Tolerance Education Pilot Program A.B. 1056 Establishes the Tolerance Education Pilot Program to promote instruction to public schools on tolerance and intergroup relations as part of ... More... CA Vetoed 09/2006 P-12 Content of Textbooks and Student Characteristics S.B. 1437 Relates to existing law which prohibits instruction or school sponsored activities and the adopting of textbooks or other instructional mate... More... NC Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 Display of U.S. and North Carolina Flag S.B. 700 Directs local boards of education, charter schools, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the North Carolina school of science and math... More... NC Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 Importance of Memorial Day H.B. 836 Directs the state board of education to develop programs for use in schools on the meaning and importance of memorial day. http://www.ncleg.... More... AZ Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Civic Education Commission H.B. 2788 Concerns the State Commission on Civic Education and Civic Engagement; relates to membership and duties; provides a repeal of the terminatio... More... AZ Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Postsec. Display of Flag in Classrooms H.B. 2583 School districts and charter schools must display United States flag in each classroom and upon or new the outside of the school during scho... More... TN Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Civic Education Commission S.B. 2586 Establishes a commission on civic education. The commission is will: (1) Research the current policies and practices in civic education at t... More... WI Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 High School Poll Workers Act. No. 451 Eliminates the minimum grade point average requirement for poll workers who are high school students. Authorizes school boards to develop c... More... VT Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Civics Education H.B. 867 - Section 29 Directs the commissioner of education to convene a council on civics education to strengthen civics education opportunities for all Vermonte... More... ME Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Task Force on Citizenship Education H.B. 1504; LD2112 Reestablishes the Task Force on Citizenship Education and extends a reporting deadline; provides that the joint standing committee of the Le... More... MN Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Character Education H.B. 4162 Creates a pilot program to allow school districts to receive character development education revenue to purchase curriculum for the purposes... More... IL Adopted 04/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements 23 IAC 1.440 Changes reference to "career education" to "career and technical education." Clarifies differences between courses high schools must offer,... More... IA Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Iowa Studies S.B. 2320 Requires the department of cultural affairs to develop an Iowa studies professional development plan that includes professional development ... More... MD Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Positive Behavior Programs in Elementary Schools H.B. 1495 Alters the standard by which a county board of education and the Board of School Commissioners of Baltimore City shall require specified ele... More... KY Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 U.S. Constitution, Democratic Processes and Civic Engagement H.J.R. 145 Directs the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Board of Education, and others to examine the current level of skills and knowl... More... KY Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Veterans Day Programs S.B. 47 Requires all public schools to hold Veterans Day programs. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/06RS/SB47/bill.doc... More... MD Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Postsec. Civic Literacy Summit S.B. 47 Establishes the Task Force to Convene a Summit on Civic Literacy in Maryland; provides for the composition, powers, and duties of the Task F... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Study on Quality Environmental Education H.B. 2910 Directs the office of superintendent of public instruction to conduct an environmental education study in partnership with public and privat... More... UT Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Civic Education H.C.R. 2 Expresses support for civic education and Utah's Legislators Back to School Program; emphasizes the importance of legislators promoting grea... More... UT Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Commission on Civic and Character Education H.B. 339 Creates the Commission on Civic and Character Education within the Lieutenant Governor's office; establishes the duties of the commission to... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Civic Education and Assessment H.B. 2579 Finds that instruction in social studies, arts, health, and fitness is important to ensure a well-rounded and complete education. In particu... More... CA Vetoed 09/2005 P-12 Curriculum and Tolerance Instruction H.B. 723 Existing law requires the State Board of Education to adopt statewide academically rigorous content standards in core curriculum areas, and ... More... MN Signed into law 07/2005 P-12 Character education H.F. 141 - Multiple Components The legislature encourages districts to integrate or offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character quali... More... IL Signed into law 07/2005 P-12 Character Education H.B. 1336 Amends the School Code. Requires teachers to teach students character education, which includes the teaching of respect, responsibility, fai... More... RI Signed into law 07/2005 P-12 Civics Education H.B. 5748 The general assembly recognizes the importance of a citizenry well educated in the principles of democracy as enunciated in the constitution... More... RI Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Civics Education Standards S.B. 864 Directs the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to develop and adopt a set of grade level standards K-12 in civics educa... More... LA Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Louisiana Commission on Civic Education S.B. 39 AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 24:971(B)(1), 972(A)(18), (B) and (C), and 973(A)(1)(introductory paragraph), and to enact R.S. 24:972(A)(2... More... SC Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Postsec. Community College South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act H.B. 3155 Adds a new chapter (59) establishing the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act. Provides for the development of a curriculum... More... IN Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Display of Flag, Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 332 Requires a United States flag to be displayed in each classroom of a school corporation. Requires a school corporation to provide a daily op... More... OK Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Character Education H.B. 1704 Amends 70 O.S. 2001, Section 1210.229- 6, which relates to character education programs. Requries school districts to develop and implement ... More... AZ Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Constitutional Commemoration Committee H.B. 2426 Mandates that the constitutional commemoration committee collaborate and cooperate with public, private and nonprofit entities to promote pu... More... CO Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Teaching of History, Culture and Civil Government S.B. 200 (Section 14) Requires the department to help districts develop and promote elementary- and secondary-level programs addressing the state model content st... More... NM Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Civics/Government Education Fund H.B. 268 Creates a New Mexico Government Education Fund to be administered by the department. Money in the fund is appropriated to the department to ... More... VA Signed into law 03/2005 P-12 Commission on Civics Education H.B. 1769 Creates the 23-member Commission on Civics Education, comprised of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, legislators, executive branch official... More... UT Signed into law 03/2005 P-12 Golden Rule Project S.C.R. 6 This resolution recognizes the practice and promotion of the Golden Rule as a commitment for the common good; and expresses a shared sense o... More... UT Adopted 03/2005 P-12 Understanding of Legislative Process H.C.R. 6 Concurrent resolution emphasizes the importance of legislators promoting greater understanding of the legislative process and building publi... More... GA Adopted 01/2005 P-12 Instruction in Citizenship, United States and Georgia History GAC 160-4-2-.07 Establishes rules regarding instruction in United States and Georgia history and government. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalse... More... CA Signed into law 09/2004 P-12 Historical Documents in Curriculum A.B. 2525 (multiple provisions) Requires the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission to ensure that specified historical documents are incorporated int... More... CA Vetoed 09/2004 P-12 Pupil Attendance: Precinct Board Membership A.B. 1944 Deems, for purposes of computing the average daily attendance generated by a pupil enrolled in a history or social science course required b... More... RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 P-12 Civic Education Commission H.B. 7990 Adds seven (7) new members to the civic education commission (from 17 to 24). ... More... LA Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 Civic Education S.B. 11 Establishes the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education. Establishes that the commission must: (1) Develop and coordinate outreach programs... More... TN Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Model Character Education H.B. 3456 Requires the department of education to institute a program to recognize those schools that have developed model instructional methods and a... More... AZ Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 License Plates for Character Education H.B. 2206 Requires the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to issue character education special license plates if the Department of Education ... More... AZ Issued 06/2004 P-12 Establishing the Arizona Statewide Youth Development Task Force Executive Order 2004-14 Creates the Arizona Statewide Youth Development Task Force to provide policy recommendations relating to youth and youth development issues ... More... FL Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Postsec. Community College Carey Baker Freedom Flag Act H.B. 1757 Relates to Carey Baker Freedom Flag Act; requires a flag of the U.S. to be displayed in each classroom in public K-20 educational institutio... More... IA Vetoed 05/2004 P-12 Healthy Iowans Tobacco Trust Fund H.F. 2577 Relates to and making appropriations from the healthy Iowans tobacco trust and the tobacco settlement trust fund and providing an effective ... More... ME Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Citizenship Education H.P. 1417 (Resolution)Proposes to implement the recommendations of the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education; includes th... More... OK Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum H.B. 2477 Part of this bill adds a new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 24-106.1 of Title 70, unless there is created... More... VA Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Character Education and Standards of Learning H.B. 1014 Deletes language requiring the Standards of Learning to include the development of personal qualities such as self-esteem, sociability, self... More... VA Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Green schools program S.B. 315 Green schools program; education programs to promote waste reduction and resource efficiency. Authorizes the state board to assist local sch... More... KY Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Civic Education Program S.J.R. 80 Urges the establishment of a committee to evaluate existing school civic literacy programs, determine a strategy for enhancing long-term civ... More... UT Signed into law 03/2004 P-12 Civic and Character Education H.B. 22 Provides legislative recognition of the fundamental civic purpose and constitutional responsibility of public education; requires Civic and ... More... CO Signed into law 03/2004 P-12 Recitation of Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 1002 Amends the Pledge of Allegiance statute to make the statute constitutional as required by the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in the 1992 ... More... CA Signed into law 10/2003 P-12 Postsec. Community College Voter Registration A.B. 593 Requires the Secretary of State to provide voter registration forms and information to students in all high schools, community colleges, and... More... IL Signed into law 07/2003 P-12 Minor Voting Program H.B. 30 Requires the State Board of Elections and State Board of Education to jointly develop a program for K-12 students in participating school di... More... MO Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Observance of Veterans Day S.B. 325 Requires every school to devote a period of time equal to one class period to an observance that conveys the meaning and significance of Vet... More... ME Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Legislative Youth Advisory Council H.P. 557 Implements the recommendations of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Increases the council membership from 21 to 22, increasing appoint... More... ME Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Citizenship Education H.P. 333 (House Resolve) Establishes the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education. Commission is to be comprised of three s... More... CT Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Service by Students as Poll Workers S.B. 647 Encourages student to participate in the election process by serving as poll workers. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/act/Pa/2003PA-00108-R0... More... AL Issued 06/2003 P-12 Civics and American History Education Executive Order 2003-08 Designates the American Village Citizenship Trust Statewide Educational Center and Classroom Laboratory in American History, Civics, and Gov... More... CO Passed 06/2003 Postsec. Civic Education H.J.R. 1027 Concerns the importance of history and civic education at the college level. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/inetcbill.nsf/fsbillcont/DC1C8... More... CO Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 The Pledge of Allegiance Daily Recitation H.B. 1368 Creates a requirement for the daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance in each public school in the state. http://www.leg.state.co.us/20... More... CT Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Student Voter Registration S.B. 646 Establishes an official state-wide student voter registration drive; encourages students to learn about civics and participate in the democr... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund H.F. 685 Makes appropriation from the healthy Iowans tobacco trust and the tobacco settlement trust fund for various initiatives, including for a $40... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Postsec. United States National Motto Display in Schools H.B. 219 Relates to the display of the United States national motto in public elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education.... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Virtues Education Program H.C.R. 73 Directs the Texas Education Agency and the state board to adopt and promote a virtues education program and to provide school districts with... More... MN Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance S.F. 287 Effective 2003-04 school year and thereafter, requires recitation of the pledge of allegiance in all public schools, including charter schoo... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Observance of One Minute of Silence S.B. 83 Requires the board of trustees of each school district to provide for the observance of one minute of silence during each school day at each... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Public Education Objectives H.B. 319 Added a new objective to the list of objectives of public education. OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active ... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Character Education Program Funding H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Eliminates language allowing schools to use phase III funds to establish character education programs. http://www.legis.state.ia.us/cgi-bin/... More... CO Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 Government course graduation requirement S.B. 36 Makes satisfactory completion of a course on federal and state civil government a requirement of high school graduation in the state; direct... More... AR Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 The Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 2388 Requires the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by all public school students. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/H... More... IA Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 Service Learning, Character Education H.F. 180 Local boards or heads of a nonpublic school may require service learning units for a service learning endorsement on a high school diploma o... More... AR Signed into law 04/2003 Postsec. College Students to Participate as Poll Workers H.B. 1487 Creates a program for college students to participate in the election process as poll workers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2... More... KY Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Veterans Day H.B. 303 Requires all public high schools to observe Veterans Day as established in this section. Requires a class period on Veterans Day or on one o... More... AR Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Establishes Freedom Week H.B. 2756 Creates Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools on the last full week of classes in September. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/... More... VA Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Posting of First Amendment in Public Schools H.B. 2140 Amends the two uncodified Acts of Assembly requiring the posting of the National Motto in public schools to add the required posting of the ... More... VA Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Virginia Statement of Values H.B. 1498 Modifies the current character education requirement to require instruction in what is designated as the Virginia Statement of Values; requi... More... UT Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Character and Citizenship Education H.C.R. 7 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges Utah's public elementary and secondary schools to promote character and... More... VA Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 High School Diploma Civics Education Seal H.B. 1503 Directs the state board to establish criteria for awarding a diploma seal for excellence in civics education and understanding of the state ... More... AR Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 American Historical Documents S.B. 57 Requires public school districts to allow and encourage teachers to read or display documents of American or state history. http://www.arkle... More... UT Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools S.B. 105 The pledge of allegiance to the flag must be recited at the beginning of the day in each elementary public school and once a week at the beg... More... AR Signed into law 02/2003 P-12 Election Process and High School Students H.B. 1028 Creates a program for high school students to participate in the election process as poll workers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bil... More... PA Signed into law 12/2002 P-12 Display of the Flag H.B. 592 Requires boards of directors to ensure that schools to display the U.S. flag (private, parochial and public schools). The flag must be disp... More... UT Adopted 09/2002 P-12 Patriotic Education R277-475 Requires Utah public schools to display the United States national motto, consistent with state law. UTAH REG 25218 (SN)... More... TN Signed into law 07/2002 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 2599 Each board of education shall require the daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance in each classroom in the school system in which a fla... More... IL Signed into law 07/2002 P-12 High School Recitation of Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 1634 Requires the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited each school day by pupils in elementary and secondary educational institutions supported or ... More... CT Signed into law 06/2002 P-12 Bullying and Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 5425 Requires local and regional boards to establish policies addressing bullying in the schools. Policies must include components set out in leg... More... MO Signed into law 06/2002 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 718 Requires every public school to ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at least once a week in every student's class. Students are... More... MN Vetoed 05/2002 P-12 Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Instruction in Civics Education and Flag Etiquette H.B. 2598 Requires recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance one or more times each week in all public and charter schools. Requires all public and chart... More... NH Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 1446 Establishes the New Hampshire School Patriot Act which requires that school districts authorize a period of time during the school day for t... More... MD Joint Resolution No. 05/2002 P-12 Instruction to Encourage Patriotism Urged H.J.R. 9 Urges local boards in Maryland to introduce instruction to encourage patriotism by including curriculum on or before Veterans' Day or Memori... More... MD Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Instruction to Instill Patriotism S.J.R. 2 Urges the boards of education in the state to introduce instruction to instill patriotism by developing and instituting curriculum on or bef... More... NH Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Civic Education H.B. 1151 Establishes a commission to examine the status of public school curriculum requirements in civic education.... More... OH Eligible for GOVERNOR'S desk. 05/2002 P-12 Character Education H.C.R. 28 Urges citizens and civic and community leaders of Ohio to vigorously maintain and encourage positive leadership and youth character qualitie... More... FL Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Education Code Re-Write: Character Education Expanded; Patriotism and Citizenship Education S.B. 20E Expands mandate to teach character education from elementary grades to K-12. Requires districts to develop curriculum, to be submitted to th... More... FL Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Recitation of Declaration of Independence and Celebrate Freedom Week H.B. 885 Relates to recitation of the Declaration of Independence; requires Celebrate Freedom Week to be recognized in the public schools each Septem... More... OH Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Moment of Silence H.B. 394 Permits the board of education of a school district to provide for a period of silence each school day for reflection or meditation upon a m... More... AL Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Youth in Government Program H.B. 162 Appropriates a certain amount from the Education Trust Fund to the Law Institute for the support and maintenance for a program promoting you... More... MS Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Student Interns to Assist During Elections S.B. 2383 Authorizes the appointment of student interns to assist at precincts during elections; creates the crime of multiple voting; provides for pe... More... KY Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Election Officers and Excused Absence for Election Day Served H.B. 251 Provides that minors who are seventeen years old and who will become eighteen years old on or before the day of the regular election may ser... More... IA Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Districts Encouraged to Implement Character Education Programs H.B. 2454 Encourages school districts to establish character education programs and directing the department of education to partner with local educat... More... CO Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Display of U.S. Flag in Public Schools S.B. 38 Requires all public and charter schools to permanently and prominently display the U.S. flag in every academic classroom while class is in s... More... IN Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 School buses, display of flag H.B. 1133 Makes changes to the voting and nonvoting members of the state school bus committee; requires the committee to adopt rules allowing the disp... More... MS Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Display of U.S. Flag and Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 2321 Display of United States flag and Pledge of Allegiance; required in all public school classrooms.... More... KY Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Excused Absence for Participation in Burial Honor Guard Program H.B. 231 Establishes a burial honor guard program for veteran's funerals; establishes the veterans' service organization burial honor guard trust fun... More... SD Signed into law 02/2002 P-12 Flag and Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 94 Permits the posting or display of the United States flag and giving the pledge of allegiance within public schools in the State.... More... AL Signed into law 09/2001 P-12 Patriotic Education H.J.R. 152C Relates to urging the Boards of Education to incorporate patriotic education as part of the daily Pledge of Allegiance.... More... RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 P-12 Civics Education H.B. 5899 Creates a permanant legislative commission for the purpose of developing and coordinating public outreach programs for the legislature that ... More... CO Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 Encourages The Development of Character Education H.B. 1292 Encourages and promotes the development and establishment of character education programs through cooperation between parents and school dis... More... OK Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 128 Relates to schools; designates November 11 as Veterans Day; requires public schools to conduct and observe Veterans Day programs; allows sch... More... TX Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Character Education Programs H.B. 946 Allows schools to provide character education programs, but any programs must stress positive character traits, such as: courage; trustworth... More... TX Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Celebrate Freedom Week H.B. 1776 The last full week of classes in September is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools. Celebrate Freedom Week may include ap... More... WV Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Character Education H.B. 2208 Requires the state board to establish comprehensive character education into all aspects of school culture, school functions and existing cu... More... KS Signed into law 04/2001 P-12 Use and Display of US Flag in Public Schools H.B. 2105 Concerns the use and display of the flag of the United States of America in public schools. It shall be the duty of the state board of educa... More... MS Signed into law 03/2001 P-12 High School Student Registration Opportunities H.B. 955 Enhances opportunities for high school students to register to vote; authorizes the registrar of each county to visit each public school, fo... More... VA Signed into law 03/2001 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance S.B. 1331 Requires all students to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and to demonstrate such knowledge and requires each school board to call for the dai... More... CA Vetoed 08/2000 P-12 Daily Pledge of Allegiance A.B. 1747 Provides that the recitation of a specified portion of the Declaration of Independence would satisfy the requirement of existing law which r... More... DE Signed into law 07/2000 P-12 Character Education H.J.R. 9 Recognizes Delaware to be a State of Character; urges the citizens and community leaders of Delaware to promote character in schools, busine... More... AL Signed into law 05/2000 P-12 Committee on Civic Education S.J.R. 100 Creates the Joint Legislative Committee on Civic Education; designates Alabama's Legislators Back to School Day.... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Civic, Ethical Education S.B. 1216 Requires the state board to develop and maintain a handbook for use in the schools of this state that provides guidance for the teaching of ... More... ID Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Display of the Flag; Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 655 Provides that the United States flag shall be displayed in every public school classroom; provides that every public school shall offer the ... More... ID Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Citizenship Instruction H.B. 652 Requires that instruction in citizenship shall be given in all elementary and secondary schools.... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Tax Credits S.B. 1369 Relates to individual income tax credits; expands use of public school fees credit to include character education programs; defines characte... More... KY Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Character Education H.B. 157 Adds core values and qualities of good character to make moral and ethical decisions in life to the capacities students shall be allowed and... More... KY Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Flag Etiquette/Instruction H.B. 506 Relates to requiring instruction in flag etiquette in schools; requires the Kentucky Board Of Education to develop a program of instruction ... More... AK Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Pledge of Allegiance H.B. 192 Relates to the pledge of allegiance by public school students.... More... UT Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Instruction Relating to the United States Flag S.B. 21 Relates to public schools; requires the State Board of Education to provide by rule a program of instruction within the public schools relat... More... GA Signed into law 02/2000 P-12 Veterans Day instruction H.B. 68 Provides for instructional activity relating to Veterans Day.... More...