House Education Committee amends HB 15-27 to place requirements in world history course rather than rewrite state standards

The House Education Committee voted to amend House Bill 15-27 on a motion to place required content in the high school world history course rather than directing a state standards rewrite, then approved the bill as amended.

The change came after Department of Public Instruction (DPI) officials told the committee that a legislative directive to update K–12 standards would require state funding. Superintendent Basler told members, "if the state legislature directs an update to the standards, then it becomes a a state responsibility," and added, "Anywhere from 500 to $800,000 is the requirement to is is generally what it costs to update a content a single content standards." DPI advised placing the language in a course requirement so local districts could be monitored by course code rather than triggering a formal standards rewrite.

The amendment replaces language that directed the superintendent to conduct a standards review with language specifying that "the world history course shall include the following," and eliminates related lines referring to a standards update. DPI explained the difference between a standards rewrite, which is typically funded from state appropriations (rather than federal Title I, Part B funds used for standards and assessment work), and course requirements, which can be enforced by monitoring course codes on student transcripts.

Representative Longmire moved to reconsider actions on House Bill 15-27 and Vice Chair Schreiberbeck seconded; the bill was returned to committee for the changes and DPI was invited to advise. Representative Morton moved the amendment to specify the requirements belong in the world history course; Representative Novak seconded. The committee called roll on the amendment and recorded the named members voting yes; the chair announced the amendment passed (14 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). The committee then voted to give HB 15-27 a do-pass recommendation as amended; the final roll call produced a 12–1–1 result, with Representative Hager recorded as the lone no vote.

During discussion members asked how the requirement would be implemented across grade bands. Superintendent Basler and DPI staff explained that the world history course is a high-school course with a course code DPI can monitor and that elementary and middle grades follow the state social studies standards without discrete course codes. Representative Marshall asked whether K–12 language would be removed; DPI recommended the succinct fix of placing the elements into the world history course so the requirement can be monitored without triggering a standards rewrite. Representative Jonas and other members noted that topics such as World War II and the Holocaust are already covered at multiple grade levels under existing social studies standards.

The committee completed its business, with members noting the meeting would be brief; the chair adjourned the committee after the do-pass vote.