This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding high school social studies academic standards by adding geography as a required component. Specifically, it would insert language to mandate that the State Board of Education (SBE) include geography in the academic standards, with a particular focus on instruction about the Gulf of America. This addition would enhance the existing requirements, which currently include personal finance, American civics education, and a comparative discussion of political ideologies.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the SBE is not obligated to incorporate instruction on the Gulf of America until the next update of the social studies academic standards. This provision ensures that the implementation of the new geography standards is aligned with the SBE's schedule for revising educational requirements. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the curriculum by integrating geography into the social studies framework while providing flexibility for the SBE in terms of timing for the inclusion of this new content.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-701.01
House Engrossed Version: 15-701.01