HB 5858

Abstract

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district shall offer an extended course of study for students in grades 9 through 12 that includes instruction in: (1) the elections process for this State, for other states, and for the federal government, including instruction on the mechanisms in place to implement fair and honest elections for public offices; (2) distinguishing between ethical candidates and campaign practices and dirty, attack-style campaign practices; (3) the limitations of the regulation of truth in political advertising and political speech by the Federal Communications Commission and other governmental bodies; (4) identifying and understanding the role of funding sources and dark money in campaigns; (5) fostering critical thinking skills when reviewing electoral communications, researching candidates, and deciding whom to support; (6) seeing the importance of fairness and integrity in political campaigns, engaging with people with opposing viewpoints respectfully, and participating in elections as a part of an informed electorate; (7) evaluating the opportunities and limitations of participation in elections, voting, and the electoral process and the impact disenfranchisement has on elections, voting, and the electoral process; and (8) analyzing constitutions, laws, and agreements to determine the degree to which they achieve justice, equality, and liberty and the common good.