Read the full stored bill text
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2460
Page 1 of 3
XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION urging the Council on Postsecondary Education and the 1
Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and 2
education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students’ 3
knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the United States of 4
America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of the United States. 5
WHEREAS, the United States government has designated September 17 as 6
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution of 7
the United States in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787; and 8
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has mandated that "each educational 9
institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program 10
on the Constitution of the United States on September 17 of such year for the students 11
served by the educational institution"; and 12
WHEREAS, many students complete their secondary and postsecondary education 13
without a strong understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the 14
Constitution of the United States; and 15
WHEREAS, educating students for citizenship is essential to pr eparing them to 16
participate as informed and active members of a constitutional republic; and 17
WHEREAS, the United States was founded on the principle of government by the 18
people, as expressed in foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence , 19
the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights; and 20
WHEREAS, there is growing evidence of public disillusionment regarding the 21
value of constitutional knowledge in addressing societal issues and developing effective, 22
lasting solutions. Thi s disillusionment is often expressed by citizens who lack a solid 23
foundation in constitutional education, contributing to declining confidence in the 24
government’s ability to operate within its constitutionally limited authority; and 25
WHEREAS, it is imperati ve that citizens in our constitutional republic have access 26
to educational resources that deepen their understanding of the Constitution of the United 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2460
Page 2 of 3
XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM Jacketed
States, enabling them to uphold the values it contains, including life and liberty, through 1
responsible leadership in both public and private life; and 2
WHEREAS, education on the structure and function of the Constitution of the 3
United States is critical to empowering citizens with the critical thinking skills envisioned 4
by the General Assembly in KRS 158.645, which calls for a system of public schools tha t 5
helps students develop communication skills, understand governmental processes, and 6
recognize their impact on the community, state, and nation; and 7
WHEREAS, students must be encouraged to develop a foundational understanding 8
of social and cultural instit utions so they can apply their knowledge of a constitutional 9
republic in practical ways, gaining a clear awareness of the rights and responsibilities of 10
individuals within such a system; and 11
WHEREAS, Kentucky’s public schools, postsecondary institutions, a nd their 12
governing bodies bear the responsibility of providing strong and informed leadership to 13
ensure that students leave the education system equipped with the essential knowledge 14
and skills needed for responsible, constitutionally grounded citizenship; 15
NOW, THEREFORE, 16
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 17
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 18
Section 1. The House of Representatives urges the Council on Postsecondary 19
Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary 20
of State and other education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving 21
Kentucky stu dents' knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the 22
United States of America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of 23
the United States. 24
Section 2. The House of Representatives e ncourages the Kentucky Department 25
of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education to work with the public 26
primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions to review Kentucky students' current 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2460
Page 3 of 3
XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM Jacketed
level of skills and knowledge relating to the Constitu tion of the United States and our 1
constitutional republic. The review shall include curriculum requirements, assessments of 2
student knowledge, teacher competencies required in these areas, and any other relevant 3
data and information. 4
Section 3. The House of Representatives urges each educational institution 5
within the state to go above and beyond the minimum federal requirements in dedicating 6
the entire day on September 17 to educational activities on the Constitution of the United 7
States and to incorporate constitution education throughout the year. 8
Section 4. The House of Representatives encourages the Council on 9
Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, or any education 10
institution developing educational programs on the Constitution of the United States, to 11
utilize the publicly available resources coordinated and published on the web page of the 12
United States Department of Education, as well as resources provide d by other entities 13
interested in spreading knowledge of the foundational documents of the United States. 14
Section 5. The House of Representatives urges the Council on Postsecondary 15
Education and the Kentucky Department o f Education to devise implementation 16
strategies, including a specific timeline to improve Kentucky students' knowledge and 17
understanding of the Constitution of the United States, democratic processes, and civic 18
engagement. In the development of these strat egies, the Council on Postsecondary 19
Education and the Kentucky Department of Education are encouraged to incorporate the 20
appropriate existing state efforts to promote civic literacy. 21
Section 6. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a 22
copy of this Resolution to the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, 100 23
Airport Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 and to the commissioner of education, 300 24
Sower Boulevard, Fifth Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. 25