Apr. 10, 2018
HARRISBURG – To address the critical need for increased civics instruction in the Commonwealth, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) introduced
House Bill 564, which would require school districts to administer a locally developed assessment of U.S. history, government and civics. The bill passed out of the House Education Committee unanimously on Monday.
National studies show that only 24 percent of U.S. high school students are proficient in civics, and that a third of U.S. citizens cannot even name the three branches of government.
“As an educator and a mother, I find the lack of proficiency in U.S. civics and government astounding. Now more than ever, Pennsylvania’s students need all the necessary tools to be active and informed citizens. My goal with this legislation is to encourage schools to implement civics instruction into their curriculum in a meaningful way,” said Boback.
Schools would be given maximum flexibility in implementing the test, which fits nicely within the existing state social studies curriculum standards and requires little to no implementation costs, as the civics tests and materials are already available for free online.
The bill must now be considered by the full House.
Representative Karen Boback
117th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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