In Act 35 of 2018, the General Assembly reaffirmed the importance of civics education in Pennsylvania by requiring students to complete a civics assessment at least once between grades 7-12. Schools could use either the free U.S. citizenship exam or a locally developed exam.

Over the last few years, a coalition of civics education advocates and former legislators have met with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to analyze the results. Their work has led to the conclusion that some adjustments need to be made to the current assessment structure which is making it difficult to evaluate how well our students understand core civics concepts.

I am introducing legislation that will narrow the parameters for the civics assessment to be given between grades 9-12 and eliminate the locally developed exam. With only one form of assessment, this legislation will eliminate one of the reporting requirements on schools and provide improved clarity on student proficiency in civics across the Commonwealth.

Additionally, this legislation creates opportunities to honor teachers and schools with outstanding student achievement in civics and will direct the State Board of Education to update the civics academic standards, which have not been revised since 2002.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.