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Committee advances bill directing social studies standards to teach 'constitutional republic' and failures of autocratic systems
Summary
The Senate Education Committee advanced House Bill 1060, which directs a state review of social studies standards to add instruction on the United States as a constitutional republic and on the failures of autocratic and communist governments.
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance House Bill 1060, a bill from Representative Scott Richardson directing the Department of Education to review social studies standards for grades 7–12 to include instruction on the resiliency of the United States as a constitutional republic and the historical failures of autocratic and communist governments.
Representative Scott Richardson told the committee he could not find any reference to the United States as a “constitutional republic” in the current social studies standards for grades 7–12 and said HB 1060 would reinforce teaching about the Constitution’s constraints on government and the importance of active citizen participation. Richardson framed the bill as restoring civic knowledge and empowering students to be informed, engaged citizens.
Committee members asked about who would develop curriculum and whether the standards would duplicate existing material. Jacob Levy of the Department of Education said the department’s role is to review and recommend standards; local districts develop curriculum aligned to state standards. Levy noted the state has not done a full review of social studies standards in recent years and said a standards review was timely.
Senator Flowers and other senators pressed the sponsor on concerns that language comparing the United States to other countries could be presented as superiority or risk “indoctrination.” Richardson said the bill expects teachers to present history, including “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” and to encourage independent thinking.
Toni Rose of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers testified in favor, citing similar federal and Florida measures; she quoted federal House passage of a victims-of-communism teaching measure and offered figures on historical communist victims as part of her testimony. The committee did not record opposing public testimony.
After discussion, the committee moved the bill by voice vote. The transcript records members calling for “Motion do pass. Second. All in favor?” and “Aye.” The record does not contain a roll-call tally in the hearing transcript. Members suggested the department work on standards implementation, and sponsor closing remarks emphasized civic engagement.
Ending: HB 1060 was advanced for further consideration; the Department of Education will be the agency asked to review standards if the bill proceeds.
