This bill amends Alaska's education laws to establish new requirements for civics education and assessments as part of secondary school graduation criteria. It mandates the development of a statewide comparative government and civics curriculum, which includes a civics assessment based on the naturalization examination used by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The curriculum must cover various topics, including the founding history of the United States, the roles of government institutions, civil rights, and international relations. To graduate, students must complete a civics education course, pass the civics assessment, and meet additional criteria, such as completing a civics project-based assessment or providing evidence of similar assessments taken previously.

The bill also includes provisions for students who transfer into a state public school after completing grade 10 or who have completed a high school state history course in another state, allowing them to receive a diploma despite not meeting all the new requirements. Furthermore, the legislation introduces a seal of civic readiness for students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge and skills. The new graduation requirements will apply to students entering grade nine on or after July 1, 2026, with the law taking effect on that date.

Statutes affected:
HB0168A, AM HB 168, introduced 04/02/2025: