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. This new section creates a fund dedicated to supporting effective civics instruction in every school district. The allocation of funds will be determined based on district needs, including 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.

For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, the fund will include $1,000,000, with $600,000 specifically designated for teacher professional development, support for implementing student-led civics projects, and other civic education-related uses. The remaining funding will be dedicated to oversight from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which may include personnel, assessment, accountability systems, guidelines, and resources specifically designated 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.

For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the categorical funding provided will be increased by a minimum of 50% over the funding provided in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028. This increased funding will be used exclusively for teacher professional development in civics, including specific pedagogical needs such as culturally responsive teaching, media literacy, and project-based learning; the purchase and creation of civic education curriculum; technical assistance and support for student-led civic projects; partnerships with local community organizations; and the evaluation of civic learning at the district level, with results made accessible to the public.

Any funds appropriated but unutilized in the fiscal year will be carried forward and used in subsequent fiscal years. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be responsible for oversight of the fund and assessing its effectiveness across school districts, including direct input from teachers and parents. The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any provision is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions will still be effective. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
2233: 16-7.2-6