HF 705

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 01/31/2022 12:30pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying civics and social studies graduation requirements;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 120B.02, subdivision 3; 120B.024,
subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 120B.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

deleted text begin Required deleted text end Knowledge and understanding of civics.

(a) For purposes of this
subdivision, "civics test questions" means 50 of the 100 questions that, as of January 1,
2015, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officers use to select the questions
they pose to applicants for naturalization so the applicants can demonstrate their knowledge
and understanding of the fundamentals of United States history and government, as required
by United States Code, title 8, section 1423. The Learning Law and Democracy Foundation,
in consultation with Minnesota civics teachers, must select by July 1 each year 50 of the
100 questions under this paragraph to serve as the state's civics test questions for the
proximate school year and immediately transmit the 50 selected civics test questions to the
department and to the Legislative Coordinating Commission, which must post the 50
questions it receives on the Minnesota's Legacy website by August 1 of that year.

(b) A student enrolled in a public school deleted text begin must deleted text end new text begin is encouraged to new text end correctly answer at least
30 of the 50 civics test questions. A school or district may record on a student's transcript
that the student answered at least 30 of 50 civics test questions correctly. A school or district
may exempt a student with disabilities from this requirement if the student's individualized
education program team determines the requirement is inappropriate and establishes an
alternative requirement. A school or district may administer the civics test questions in a
language other than English to students who qualify for English learner services.

(c) Schools and districts may administer civics test questions as part of the social studies
curriculum. A district must not prevent a student from graduating or deny a student a high
school diploma for failing to correctly answer at least 30 of 50 civics test questions.

(d) The commissioner and public schools and school districts must not charge students
any fees related to this subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 120B.024, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Graduation requirements.

(a) Students deleted text begin beginning 9th grade in the
2011-2012 school year and later deleted text end must successfully complete the following high school level
credits for graduation:

(1) four credits of language arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in
English language arts;

(2) three credits of mathematics, including an algebra II credit or its equivalent, sufficient
to satisfy all of the academic standards in mathematics;

(3) an algebra I credit by the end of 8th grade sufficient to satisfy all of the 8th grade
standards in mathematics;

(4) three credits of science, including at least one credit of biology, one credit of chemistry
or physics, and one elective credit of science. The combination of credits under this clause
must be sufficient to satisfy (i) all of the academic standards in either chemistry or physics
and (ii) all other academic standards in science;

(5) three and one-half credits of social studies, new text begin including credit for a course in government
and citizenship in either 11th or 12th grade for students beginning 9th grade in the 2021-2022
school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous
course on government and citizenship under section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, and a
combination of other credits new text end encompassing at least United States history, geography,
government and citizenship, world history, and new text begin either new text end economics new text begin or personal finance new text end
sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies;

(6) one credit of the arts sufficient to satisfy all of the state or local academic standards
in the arts; and

(7) a minimum of seven elective credits.

(b) A school district is encouraged to offer a course for credit in government and
citizenship to 11th or 12th grade students who begin 9th grade in the 2020-2021 school year
and later, that satisfies the government and citizenship requirement in paragraph (a), clause
(5). new text begin A school district must offer the course starting in the 2021-2022 school year.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end