PRINTER'S NO. 1200
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1145
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, WEBSTER, ROTHMAN, R. BROWN, JAMES,
STAMBAUGH, MILLARD, SAINATO, HELM, RYAN, R. MACKENZIE,
MENTZER, HILL-EVANS, MOUL, SCHLEGEL CULVER, PICKETT, HOWARD,
HEFFLEY, FREEMAN, SHUSTERMAN, SAYLOR, ZIMMERMAN, O'MARA,
WHEELAND AND SCHWEYER, APRIL 8, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 8, 2021
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in high schools, further providing
for assessment of civic knowledge.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1605.1(a) of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1605.1. Assessment of Civic Knowledge.--(a)
Beginning with the [2020-2021] 2021-2022 school year, each
school entity:
(1) Shall administer at least once to students during grades
seven through twelve a locally developed assessment of United
States history, government and civics that includes the nature,
purpose, principles and structure of United States
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constitutional democracy, the principles, operations and
documents of United States government and the rights and
responsibilities of citizenship. Each school entity shall
determine the form of the assessment and the manner in which the
assessment shall be administered and may administer the
assessment at the conclusion of the course of study required
under section 1605(a) or at the conclusion of another related
course or instructional unit. A school entity may use the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services Test to satisfy the
requirements of this paragraph. A student must receive a score
of at least seventy percent (70%) as a condition of high school
graduation. A student may take the assessment as many times as
necessary to achieve a score of at least seventy percent (70%).
(2) Shall issue a certificate of recognition, developed by
the department, to students who achieve a perfect score on the
assessment administered under paragraph (1).
(3) Shall develop an age-appropriate civics course that
shall include, but not be limited to, the Federal, State and
local election processes.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20210HB1145PN1200 - 2 -
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