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Students and lawmakers back "Minnesota Civic Seal"; committee refers bill to State and Local Government

Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee · March 3, 2026

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Summary

Student testifiers and advocates told the committee that a voluntary Civic Seal will create equitable pathways for civic learning; the committee recommended Senate File 2565 as amended to pass and referred it to the Committee on State and Local Government by voice vote.

Senate File 2565, a proposal to create a voluntary "Minnesota Civic Seal" that students could earn and show on diplomas, received student and expert testimony and was recommended by the committee to pass and be referred to the Committee on State and Local Government.

Student testifiers described the program as student driven and equity‑focused. Emery Marks, a junior at Wayzata High School, said, "Not every student in Minnesota gets that moment," and argued the Seal creates a consistent pathway for civic learning. Marks told the committee the project team built a free online tool (mncivicseal.org) and cited research from Circle at Tufts University and Protect Democracy on youth civic engagement to support program design.

Mary Jensen, a senior, described the Seal's mechanics: students choose an issue, complete activities across five categories (democratic engagement, civic knowledge, media literacy, community service and bridge building), earn at least one activity in each category and 200 total points, and complete a civic action project and short reflection video.

Dr. Keila Roberson, policy director at Education Evolving, testified that seals or badges help students demonstrate mastery through real‑world experiences and supported including students on the bill's working group. Committee members voiced support and Senator Swazinski moved that SF 2565 as amended be recommended to pass and referred to the Committee on State and Local Government; the chair called for voice vote and announced, "The ayes have it."