The bill amends Section 16-7.2-6 of the General Laws under "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to establish a new categorical funding category specifically for civics education, designated as 16-7.2-6(k). This section outlines the creation of a fund dedicated to supporting effective civics instruction in every school district. The allocation of funding will be determined by district needs, taking into account factors such as student population size, socioeconomic status, the number of multilingual learners, and other dimensions of need as defined by the department of elementary and secondary education. The bill mandates that for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the categorical funding provided under this section shall be increased by a minimum of fifty percent (50%) over the funding provided in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The increased funding is to be used exclusively for teacher professional development in civics, including culturally responsive teaching, media literacy, project-based learning, the purchase and creation of civic education curriculum, technical assistance for student-led civic projects, partnerships with local community organizations, and the evaluation of civic learning at the district level. The results of this evaluation will be made accessible to the public upon review by the department of elementary and secondary education. Additionally, the bill allows for a state civics showcase at the end of the academic year, with the date specified at the beginning of the instructional period. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the funding shall include one million dollars ($1,000,000), with six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) specifically designated for teacher professional development and support for implementing student-led civics projects. The remaining funding will be allocated for oversight by the department of elementary and secondary education, which may include personnel, assessment, accountability systems, guidelines, and resources specifically for civics education. The allocation of funding will be approved and implemented by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education through a request for proposal (RFP) process. Any funds appropriated but unutilized in the fiscal year will be carried forward for use in subsequent fiscal years. The department of elementary and secondary education will oversee the fund and assess its effectiveness across school districts, incorporating direct input from teachers and parents, as well as considering district needs. The bill also includes a severability clause, stating that if any provision of the legislation is found to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable, or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still remain effective. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
423: 16-7.2-6