HB 320 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

25Feb2021... 0271h

04/08/2021   1052s

 

2021 SESSION

21-0357

06/04

 

HOUSE BILL 320

 

AN ACT requiring a civics competency assessment as a high school graduation requirement.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Moffett, Merr. 9; Rep. Pearl, Merr. 26; Rep. Lang, Belk. 4; Rep. Rouillard, Hills. 6; Rep. Shaw, Hills. 16; Rep. Hobson, Rock. 35

 

COMMITTEE: Education

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires high school students to attain a grade of 70 percent or better on the civics naturalization examination developed by the United States Citizen and Immigration Service.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25Feb2021... 0271h

04/08/2021   1052s 21-0357

06/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One

 

AN ACT requiring a civics competency assessment as a high school graduation requirement.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Civics Instruction.  Amend RSA 189:11, II to read as follows:

II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the required high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. [Students who attain a passing grade on the competency assessment shall be eligible for a certificate issued by the school district. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test may be used to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph.] To be eligible for a graduation certificate, a student shall attain a locally sanctioned passing grade on the competency assessment, and a grade of 70 percent or better on the 128 question civics (history and government) naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services.  Schools may modify the naturalization examination for a child with a disability in accordance with the child's individualized education program.  By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of either the locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.