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Committee hears civics education bill proposing graduation assessment, holds measure
Summary
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Senate President Gary Stevens, would require the Department of Education to develop a civics curriculum and offer a civics assessment or equivalent for graduation; the measure received invited testimony and was held for future consideration.
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Senate President Gary Stevens, would require the Department of Education and Early Development to develop a civics curriculum and provide an assessment option for graduating seniors; the Senate Education Committee heard invited testimony Wednesday and held the bill for future consideration.
Under the bill, students could demonstrate civic learning by passing a civics assessment modeled on the U.S. naturalization test, completing a semester‑long civics course aligned to state curriculum, or finishing a project‑based civics assignment. A student who completes all three options could receive a transcript distinction recognizing civic engagement. The bill also allows disability waivers and exempts students who already met comparable requirements in other districts or states.
Tim Lampkin, staff to sponsor President Stevens, said the measure aims to restore emphasis on social studies and civic engagement after several decades of reduced classroom time for civics. Lisa Boudreaux, director of state policy for the CivicsNow coalition at iCivics, testified in support, noting 38 state policies adopted since 2021 that align with CivicsNow recommendations and pointed to Kentucky, New York and other states as models for elements of the bill.
Kelly Manning of the Department of Education reiterated that the department provided an indeterminate fiscal note because costs depend on curriculum and assessment development and potential external vendor contracts; Manning said the department plans a request for information to better estimate actual costs.
Committee members discussed whether recently adopted Alaska Social Studies Standards (approved December 2024) overlap with the bill’s requirements. Manning said the standards informed recent work but the bill would add curriculum development and assessment tasks beyond the standards alone. Senator Stevens and other members asked the department to explore district‑level curricula already in use and to consider cost‑saving approaches.
Chair Tobin said the committee would hold the bill for a future meeting and open public testimony at that time. No committee vote was taken.
