The bill H. 3547 proposes to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-29-235, which mandates that all middle school students complete one unit of civics education starting in the 2027-2028 school year. This civics education must include both instructional and experiential components, focusing on essential knowledge, skills, and virtues necessary for competent citizenship in a democracy. The instructional component will cover topics such as history, economics, geography, and government, while the experiential component will require students to engage in student-led, nonpartisan civics projects that promote critical thinking, civil discourse, and an understanding of local, state, and federal policies.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Palmetto Civics Challenge, allowing middle school students to showcase their civics projects, with guidelines set by the State Department of Education. The State Board of Education is tasked with adopting a statewide curriculum for this civics coursework before the 2027-2028 school year. The provisions of this bill will take effect on July 1, 2026, and are applicable to students beginning middle school in the specified school year.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 59-29-235
Latest Version: 59-29-235