American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text and summary do not provide specific details on the timing of implementation or completion of the curriculum guide.

State Seal of Civic Engagement: Curriculum Guide

This legislation requires the California Department of Education to develop a curriculum guide for an American government and civics course, which can help students earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the California Department of Education to work with county offices or groups of county offices to create a one-year curriculum guide for American government and civics courses.
• The curriculum must cover federal, state, and local governments as well as information about voting.
• Updates criteria for earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement so that completing an American government and civics course can count towards meeting these requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

• High school students in grades 9 to 12 who are working on their graduation requirements.
• School districts participating in the State Seal of Civic Engagement program.
• The California Department of Education and county offices of education.

Terms To Know

State Seal of Civic Engagement

An award given to students who show excellence in civics education and participation, understanding the U.S. Constitution, the California Constitution, and democratic systems.

Curriculum guide

A document that outlines what should be taught in a course, including topics and learning goals.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill needs funding from the Legislature to proceed.
• It does not specify when the curriculum guide must be completed or implemented.

Official Summary Text

SB 745, as amended, Ochoa Bogh.
American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.
(1) Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. These graduation requirements include, among others, the completion of 3 courses in social studies, including a one-semester course in American government and civics.
Existing law establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks to the State Board of Education.
This bill, subject to appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require the State Department of Education, in collaboration with, and subject to the approval of, the executive director of the state board, to enter into a contract with a county office of education
or a consortium of county offices of education for the purpose of developing a curriculum guide for a one-year course in American government and civics, as provided. The bill would require the curriculum guide to include, among other things, fundamentals on federal, state, and local government, as provided, and specified information relating to voting.
(2) Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before January 1, 2020, to recommend to the state board criteria for awarding a State Seal of Civic Engagement to pupils who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government. Existing law requires the state board, on or before January 31, 2021, to adopt, reject, or modify the criteria recommended by the Superintendent.
Existing law requires a school district
electing to participate in the program to, among other things, maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Civic Engagement.
This bill would
require a school district participating in the program to deem
provide that
a pupil’s successful completion of a one-year course in American government and civics
as satisfying
satisfies
specified criteria adopted by the state
board.
board related to the State Seal of Civic Engagement.
The bill would require a pupil who has successfully completed a one-year course in American government and civics, in order to receive the State Seal of Civic Engagement, to still satisfy all other criteria adopted by the state board.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF