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 subsection (k). This new section outlines the creation of a fund dedicated to supporting effective civics instruction in every school district. The allocation of funding will be based on district needs, including factors such as student population size, socioeconomic status, and the number of multilingual learners.

For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, the fund will provide $1 million, with $600,000 specifically allocated for teacher professional development, support for student-led civics projects, and other civic education-related initiatives. The remaining funds will be dedicated to 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 require approval and implementation by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education through a request for proposal (RFP) process.

For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028, and each fiscal year thereafter, the categorical funding will increase by a minimum of 50% over the previous fiscal year's funding. This increased funding will be used exclusively for teacher professional development in civics, curriculum development, 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 after review by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Any unutilized funds from the fiscal year will be carried forward for use in subsequent fiscal years. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be responsible for overseeing 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:
7581: 16-7.2-6