Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of civic education and civic involvement programs in the elementary and secondary schools of the United States.

Bill: 115-hres-417
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2017-06-27
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments

Constitution and constitutional amendments

Elementary and secondary education

National and community service

Public participation and lobbying

Teaching, teachers, curricula

U.S. history
Latest action: action_date: 2017-06-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-06-27
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of civic education and civic involvement programs in schools.&nbsp; Encourages schools to test high school seniors&nbsp;about basic civic knowledge and to promote civic participation,&nbsp;democratic engagement, and social service.</p>

tv_txt: IV 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 417 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 27, 2017 Mr. Ross submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of civic education and civic involvement programs in the elementary and secondary schools of the United States.

Whereas civic education, democratic engagement, governmental and constitutional knowledge, and social service in the United States are on the decline; Whereas in past decades, civic education was a prominent component of the curriculum in our Nation’s schools; and Whereas the advancement of civic education, democratic engagement, governmental and constitutional knowledge, and social service are essential for the future health and welfare of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that— (1) civic education, democratic engagement, governmental and constitutional knowledge, and social service are necessary to motivate and inspire future leaders of the United States; (2) elementary and secondary schools in the United States are encouraged to offer courses promoting civic education, democratic engagement, governmental and constitutional knowledge, and social service such as civics, government, economics, geography, history, and American history; (3) elementary and secondary schools in the United States are encouraged to integrate civic education, democratic engagement, governmental and constitutional knowledge, and social service in electives such as art, English language arts, music, mathematics, and science; (4) in order to measure students’ basic civic knowledge, secondary schools in the United States are encouraged to administer a test to seniors based on the official list of 100 civics questions and answers published and used by the Secretary of Homeland Security for purposes of administering the civics test component of naturalization examinations; and (5) elementary and secondary schools in the United States are encouraged to promote civic participation and social service, at Federal, State, and local levels, and encourage such participation from students and families.