HB 1406

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, students in grade 6 must successfully complete at least one semester of a civics education course that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, State, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historic documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a statewide, standardized, end-of-course assessment in civics education for 6th grade students enrolled in a civics education course. Provides that (i) during the 2012-2013 school year, the end-of-course assessment in civics education must be administered as a field test; (ii) during the 2013-2014 school year, each student's performance on the end-of-course assessment in civics education shall constitute 30% of the student's final course grade; and (iii) beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a student must earn a passing score on the end-of-course assessment in civics education in order to pass the course and receive course credit and in order to be promoted to the next higher grade level.