Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I plan to reintroduce Senate Bill 210 of last session, which requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to develop a model curriculum to assist school entities in providing instruction about the events of 9/11.  
  
September 11, 2001, a day when our country coalesced bravely in the face of terrorism, is undoubtedly one of the defining moments of contemporary U.S. and world history. Yet, despite the tremendous impact 9/11 has had on the lives of the American people, you will be surprised to know, as I was, that Pennsylvania’s state academic standards for History and Civics and Government do not make any mention of these terrorist attacks whatsoever. Given the continuing impact of that day on lives of all Americans and on subsequent world events, I believe it is of the utmost importance that our students grow up with an adequate understanding of this time our history.   
  
Specifically, my legislation will require the PDE to create a model curriculum for instruction in the events and significance of 9/11 within 12 months. PDE will also be required to make the model curriculum and other available resources regarding 9/11 available on its publicly accessible website for school entities to use. However, this legislation will not place an unfunded mandate on school entities to utilize these materials or incorporate this instruction into their existing curriculum. Rather, my bill will simply encourage instruction by ensuring that these materials are available to school entities.   
  
I hope that you will join me in helping students have access to quality materials to learn from and reflect on the events of 9/11 by co-sponsoring this legislation.   
 

Previous co-sponsors include Senators Santarsiero, Martin, and Mastriano.