Want to take up the State Policy Menu and enact comprehensive, research-based civic learning legislation in your state?
State Legislation Examples and Template State Bill
Check out what other states have done:
Arizona
American Civics Act
Enacted 2018 – Established civic education competency as a graduation requirement and a high school pilot program for civic education.
California
State Seal of Civic Engagement
Enacted 2019 – Established student recognition program for excellence in civic education.
Florida
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act
Enacted 2010 – Established a one semester middle school civic class with content requirements and assessment.
Illinois
An Act Concerning Education
Enacted 2015 – Established a high school course requirement for civics.
An Act Concerning Education
Enacted 2019 – Established a middle school course requirement for civics.
Indiana
An Act to amend the Indiana Code concerning education
Enacted 2021 – Established the Indiana Civic Education Commission and a one-semester civics course requirement.
Maryland
An Act Concerning Task Force to Evaluate Existing School Civic Literacy Programs
Enacted 2018 – Established a state Task Force to evaluate current civic learning, determine a strategy to enhance it, and make recommendations on implementation.
Massachusetts
An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement
Enacted 2018 – Established a Civics Trust Fund, high school voter challenge, and project-based learning opportunities.
Special Commission on Civic Education
Enacted 2008 – Established a Commission on civic learning.
Minnesota
A bill for an act relating to education; ensuring students are adequately prepared to be capable citizens able to fully participate in the political process
Would establish a high school civics graduation requirement in civics with experiential civic learning as a component.
New Jersey
An Act concerning civics education in public middle schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes
Enacted 2021 – Established a middle school civics course and provided funding for educator professional development.
Rhode Island
Civic Education Commission
Enacted 2007, Renewed 2017 – Established the Rhode Island Permanent Commission on Civic Education.
An Act related to civic literacy
Enacted 2021 – Established a civics high school graduation requirement and the opportunity for project-based learning.
Tennessee
Public school courses and content to educate children in the United States and Tennessee governments
Enacted 2012 – Established project-based civic assessments in middle and high school.
An Act related to civic literacy
Enacted 2021 – Established a civics high school graduation requirement and the opportunity for project-based learning.
Virginia
Commission on Civic Education
Enacted 2006 – Established the Virginia Commission on Civic Education.
Washington
Enhanced civic education demonstration sites
Enacted 2017 – Established a pilot project to evaluate civic learning in two school districts.
Expanding civics education in public schools
Enacted 2017 – Established a one semester, stand-alone high school civics course and professional development opportunities for educators.
Essential academic learning requirements and assessments
Enacted 2011 – Established middle school and high school classroom-based assessments for civic education.
For additional information about how states and communities have made progress on civic education policy, check out our success stories!