(1) Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school. These graduation requirements include, among others, the completion of 3 courses in social studies, including a one-semester course in American government and civics.
This bill would require, commencing with pupils graduating in the 2032–33 school year, the course in American government and civics to instead be a one-year course unless the governing board or body of a school district, county office of education, or charter school, as applicable, through a formal action at a publicly noticed meeting, elects to require only a one-semester course in American government and civics. To the extent the bill would impose additional duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2) Existing law establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks to the State Board of Education.
This bill, subject to appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require the State Department of Education, in collaboration with, and subject to the approval of, the executive director of the state board, to enter into a contract with a county office of education or a consortium of county offices of education for the purpose of developing a model curriculum for the one-year course in American government and civics, as provided. The bill would require the model curriculum to include, among other things, fundamentals on federal, state, and local government, as provided, and specified information relating to voting.
(3) Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before January 1, 2020, to recommend to the state board criteria for awarding a State Seal of Civic Engagement to pupils who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government. Existing law requires the state board, on or before January 31, 2021, to adopt, reject, or modify the criteria recommended by the Superintendent. Existing law requires a school district electing to participate in the program to, among other things, maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Civic Engagement.
This bill would require a school district participating in the program to deem a pupil's successful completion of a one-year course in American government and civics as satisfying specified criteria adopted by the state board. The bill would require a pupil who has successfully completed a one-year course in American government and civics, in order to receive the State Seal of Civic Engagement, to still satisfy all other criteria adopted by the state board.
(4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Statutes affected:
SB 745: 51473 EDC
02/21/25 - Introduced: 51473 EDC
04/01/25 - Amended Senate: 51473 EDC