Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of 2021
This bill provides resources to expand civic education.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish the Civic Education and Service Learning Grant Program to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., state educational agencies) for promoting and expanding civic education in public elementary and secondary schools.
Next, the bill creates the Office of Civic Education within ED to promote civic education throughout the United States. The office must establish the Center for Civic Excellence to analyze programs created with the use of grant funds and develop best practices for implementing civic education.
Further, the bill establishes the role of Assistant Secretary for Civic Education, whose responsibilities shall include managing the grant program established by the bill. It also establishes an advisory committee to advise the assistant secretary on civic education policy.
The bill requires the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics and history to be administered every two years to certain grade levels. Further, civics and history assessment data must be published in the aggregate for the United States and separately for each state.
Additionally, the bill establishes an annual Excellence in Civics Award to highlight excellence in the development and teaching of civic education and service learning.
The Library of Congress, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Archives and Records Administration must work jointly to develop and publicly distribute educational materials and teaching resources related to civic education and effective citizenship.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5288 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5288
To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Civic Education and
Service Learning Grant Program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 17, 2021
Ms. Scanlon (for herself and Mr. Meijer) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in
addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Civic Education and
Service Learning Grant Program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of
2021''.
SEC. 2. CIVIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE LEARNING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish the
Civic Education and Service Learning Grant Program to award grants, on
a competitive basis, to eligible entities to--
(1) promote and expand civic education by supporting the
development and implementation of high-quality civic education
and service-learning programming in public elementary schools
and public secondary schools;
(2) promote the development and implementation of evidence-
based curricula and educational standards and provide teacher
development with respect to civic education and service-
learning programming in public elementary schools and public
secondary schools; and
(3) assist State and local educational agencies,
institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations
in supporting civic education and service-learning in public
elementary schools and public secondary schools.
(b) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under this section,
an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such
form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary
determines appropriate, including specifying whether the grant will be
used for--
(1) the training of teachers with respect to civic
education and service-learning under subsection (c)(1); or
(2) the development and implementation of civic education
and service-learning programs under subsection (c)(2).
(c) Grant Uses.--An eligible entity shall use grant funds awarded
under this section, in accordance with the application submitted by
such entity under subsection (b), for one of the following activities:
(1) The development and implementation of programs for the
training of teachers with respect to civic education and
service-learning, including--
(A) training teachers with respect to effective
strategies for instructing students in civic education
and service-learning;
(B) hosting training sessions for teachers to share
best practices and learn new skills;
(C) developing classroom resources to aid teachers
with respect to improving civic education and service-
learning programs for students;
(D) supporting other programs designed to provide
teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for
teaching civic education; and
(E) coordinating with local organizations and
community-based services and programs to provide hands-
on and experiential civic learning development
opportunities.
(2) The development and implementation of effective civic
education and service-learning programs, including--
(A) establishing a new, or improving an existing,
civic education or service-learning program, including
by--
(i) developing and modifying curricula
relating to civic education and service-
learning; and
(ii) creating and administering classroom
activities, thesis projects, individual or
group projects, internships, or community
service activities related to civic education,
including--
(I) simulated congressional
hearings;
(II) courtroom simulations; and
(III) simulated public hearings;
(B) evaluating and increasing the effectiveness of
such programs for participating students, including
with respect to--
(i) understanding of United States law,
history, and government by such students;
(ii) the participation of such students
with respect to voting and other forms of
political and civic engagement;
(iii) critical thinking skills and media
and digital literacy of such students;
(iv) interest of such students in
employment and careers in military, national,
and public service; and
(v) the ability of such students to solve
problems through collaboration and compromise;
(C) developing and supporting programs necessary to
the efficacy of civic education or service-learning
programs, as determined by the Secretary; and
(D) coordinating with Government entities,
nonprofit organizations, or a consortia of such
entities and organizations to provide students with
experiences related to civic education.
(d) Subgrants.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that is a State
educational agency may use the grant awarded under this section
to award subgrants, on a competitive basis, to local
educational agencies served by such State educational agency.
(2) Use of funds.--A local educational agency receiving a
subgrant from a State educational agency under this subsection
shall use the funds to carry out the activities under
subsection (c) for which such State educational agency received
the grant.
(3) Application.--A local educational agency shall submit
to the State educational agency an application in such form, at
such time, and containing such information as the State
educational agency deems appropriate.
(4) Funds.--Of the grant amount used to award subgrants
under this subsection, a State educational agency shall use not
less than 50 percent to award such subgrants to local
educational agencies that serve high-need schools.
(e) Geographic Distribution.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall select eligible entities that are located
in different geographic regions of the United States.
(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations
as may be necessary to carry out this section, including--
(1) procedures for eligible entities to apply for grants
under this section;
(2) the competitive process for the awarding of grants; and
(3) reporting requirements by recipients of such grants.
(g) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date on which the
first grant is awarded under this section, and on an annual basis
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing
the following:
(1) Information with respect to each eligible entity to
which a grant was awarded under this section during the
preceding 12-month period, including with respect to--
(A) the programs funded by such grants; and
(B) the schools involved in such programs.
(2) An evaluation of any successes of the programs for
which grants are awarded under this section, including with
respect to--
(A) progress toward implementing a civic education
curriculum in all elementary schools and secondary
schools by 2031; and
(B) the number of students in grades 4, 8, and 12
testing at or above the proficient level in the civics
and history portions of the National Assessment of
Education Progress Test under section 303 of the
National Assessment of Educational Progress
Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9622), as compared with
the last administration of such assessment.
(3) An assessment of any need for additional funding for
programs under this section.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for purposes of carrying out this section $400,000,000 for
each fiscal year, of which--
(1) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to carry out
programs authorized under subsection (c)(1), of which--
(A) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to
eligible entities that are State educational agencies;
and
(B) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to
eligible entities that are not State educational
agencies; and
(2) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to carry out
programs authorized under subsection (c)(2), of which--
(A) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to
eligible entities that are State educational agencies;
and
(B) 50 percent shall be used to award funds to
eligible entities that are not State educational
agencies.
SEC. 3. OFFICE OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--The Department of Education Organization Act (20
U.S.C. 3401 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 202(b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as
subparagraph (G); and
(C) by adding after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) an Assistant Secretary for Civic Education;
and''; and
(2) in title II, by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in the
Department an Office of Civic Education (referred to in this
section as the `Office').
``(2) Assistant secretary.--The Office will be administered
by the Assistant Secretary for Civic Education appointed under
section 202(b) (referred to in this section as the `Assistant
Secretary').
``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office shall be to
promote civic education throughout the United States.
``(4) Functions.--The Assistant Secretary shall be
responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the mission
described in paragraph (3), including by--
``(A) managing the Civic Education and Service
Learning Grant Program established under section 2 of
the Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of 2021, including
presenting recommendations of funding for such Civic
Education and Service Learning Grant Program to the
Secretary, who has authority to grant final approval of
the selected grantees;
``(B) advising the Secretary;
``(C) coordinating with the agencies and offices of
the Department to update relevant programs;
``(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and
developing external partnerships;
``(E) identifying best practices by State and local
educational agencies, in conjunction with the Center
for Civic Excellence and the Civic Education Advisory
Committee, established in this section; and
``(F) collaborating with other Federal agencies.
``(b) Center for Civic Excellence.--The Office shall establish a
Center for Civic Excellence to--
``(1) analyze the programs created under the Civic
Education and Service Learning Grant Program established under
section 2 of the Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of 2021,
including with respect to suggestions for best practices from
State educational agencies and local educational agencies; and
``(2) develop best practices with respect to the
implementation of civic education in accordance with the
recommendations of the Civic Education Advisory Committee
established in subsection (c).
``(c) Civic Education Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a
Civic Education Advisory Committee (referred to in this
subsection as the `Committee') to advise the Assistant
Secretary with respect to civic education policy.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed
of 12 members, of whom--
``(i) 2 shall be students;
``(ii) 2 shall be civics educators;
``(iii) 4 shall be representatives from
State educational agencies or local educational
agencies; and
``(iv) 4 shall be representatives from
nonprofit organizations that focus on civic
education.
``(B) Initial appointments.--The Secretary shall
appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section.
``(3) Period of appointment.--
``(A) In general.--A member of the Committee shall
be appointed for a term of 2 years.
``(B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Committee--
``(i) shall not affect the powers of the
Committee; and
``(ii) shall be filled as soon as
practicable in the same manner as the original
appointment.
``(C) Consecutive terms.--A member of the Committee
may serve an additional consecutive term.
``(4) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not fewer than 4
times per year.
``(5) Duties.--The Committee shall--
``(A) develop recommendations and advise the
Assistant Secretary on policies, initiatives, and
outreach relating to civic education;
``(B) evaluate and review ongoing research and
promotion activities relating to civic education;
``(C) evaluate the impact of the Civic Education
and Service Learning Grant Program established under
section 2 of the Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of
2021 and recommend ways to adjust funding levels and
strategies;
``(D) use the information contained in the report
required under paragraph (7)(A) to select recipients of
the Excellence in Civics Award established under
section 5 of the Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of
2021; and
``(E) provide additional assistance and advice to
the Assistant Secretary as appropriate.
``(6) Personnel matters.--
``(A) Compensation.--A member of the Committee
shall serve without compensation.
``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of
title 5, United States Code.
``(7) Report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of the establishment of the Committee, the
Committee shall submit to the Assistant Secretary a
report on criteria used to evaluate--
``(i) high-quality civic education; and
``(ii) service learning.
``(B) Use.--The Assistant Secretary shall use the
information contained in the report required under
subparagraph (A) to evaluate programs created under the
Civic Education and Service Learning Grant Program
established under section 2 of the Teaching Engaged
Citizenship Act of 2021.
``(8) Duration.--The Committee shall be established for a
period of 2 years and may be renewed at the direction of the
Secretary.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of
the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 note) is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 220 the
following:
``Sec. 221. Office of Civic Education.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL CIVICS ASSESSMENT.
(a) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--
(1) State plans.--Section 1111 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
(A) in subsection (g)(2)(D), by striking ``reading
and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading, mathematics,
civics, and history''; and
(B) in subsection (h)(1)(C)(xii), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, civics, and history''.
(2) Local educational agency plans.--Section 1112(c)(3) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6312(c)(3)) is amended by striking ``reading and mathematics''
and inserting ``reading, mathematics, civics, and history''.
(b) National Assessment of Educational Progress.--Section 303 of
the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (20
U.S.C. 9622) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E), by
striking ``reading and mathematics'' and
inserting ``reading, mathematics, civics, and
history'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D)--
(I) by striking ``civics,''; and
(II) by striking ``history,'';
(iii) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(iv) in subparagraph (H), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) ensure that achievement data from the civics
and history assessments described in subparagraphs (B),
(C), and (E) are made available both in the aggregate
for the United States and separately for each State.'';
and
(B) in paragraph (3), in subparagraphs (A)(i),
(A)(ii), and (C)(ii), by striking ``reading and
mathematics'' and inserting ``reading, mathematics,
civics, and history''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(3), in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by
striking ``reading and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, civics, and history''.
SEC. 5. EXCELLENCE IN CIVICS AWARD.
(a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award to eligible
recipients, on an annual basis, the Excellence in Civics Award to
highlight excellence in the development and teaching of civic education
and service-learning, with special attention to programs that address
community needs.
(b) Nominations.--To be eligible for an award under subsection (a),
an eligible recipient shall submit to the Secretary a nomination, of
any eligible recipient, in such form, at such time, and containing such
information as the Secretary determines appropriate, including with
respect to the eligible recipient--
(1) a description of the innovative civic education or
service-learning programs or projects administered or completed
by such eligible recipient;
(2) with respect to an award for service-learning programs
or projects, the impact of such programs or projects on--
(A) measurable civics learning outcomes; or
(B) addressing community or national needs,
including--
(i) disaster relief;
(ii) education;
(iii) poverty reduction;
(iv) reintegration of individuals who have
been incarcerated;
(v) senior citizen aid; and
(vi) public safety; and
(3) with respect to an award for education programs,
teaching styles, or projects, the ability of such programs,
teaching styles, or projects to be implemented on a national
level.
(c) Selection of Recipients.--The Civic Education Advisory
Committee established under section 221(c) of the Department of
Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.), as added by
section 3 of this Act, shall, in accordance with paragraph (5)(D) of
such section 221(c), select recipients of awards under this section.
(d) Eligible Recipient Defined.--For purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible recipient'' means--
(1) a State educational agency;
(2) a local educational agency;
(3) a public elementary school;
(4) a public secondary school;
(5) a teacher;
(6) a student;
(7) a group of students; and
(8) a consortium of--
(A) 1 or more of the entities described in
paragraphs (1) through (7); and
(B) a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization.
SEC. 6. DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIAL RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION AND
EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP.
(a) In General.--Covered officials shall work jointly to--
(1) develop educational materials and teaching resources
relating to civic education and effective citizenship,
including by--
(A) enhancing existing online resources; and
(B) supporting the distribution of hard copy and
digital materials to local libraries, polling
locations, and schools; and
(2) distribute such materials to the public.
(b) Reporting.--The covered officials shall submit to Congress a
report with respect to the development and distribution efforts
required under subsection (a).
(c) Covered Official Defined.--In this section, term ``covered
official'' means--
(1) the Librarian of Congress;
(2) the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library
Services; and
(3) the Archivist of the United States.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section
for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary
of Education to prescribe a civics and history curriculum.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Civic education.--The term ``civic education'' means an
educational program that provides participants with knowledge
of law, government, and the rights and responsibilities of
citizens and skills that enable participants to participate
responsibly in democracy.
(2) Eligible entity.--
(A) In general.--The term ``eligible entity''
means--
(i) a State educational agency; or
(ii) an entity described in subparagraph
(B) in partnership with a State educational
agency or local educational agency.
(B) Other entities.--The entities described in this
subparagraph are as follows:
(i) An institution of higher education.
(ii) A community-based organization.
(iii) A nonprofit, nongovernmental
organization.
(iv) A consortium of entities described in
subparagraphs (i) through (iii).
(3) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'',
``institution of higher education'', ``local educational
agency'', ``poverty line'', ``secondary school'',
``Secretary'', ``State'', and ``State educational agency'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4) High-need school.--The term ``high-need school'' means
any public elementary school or secondary school that is
located in an area in which the percentage of students from
families with incomes below the poverty line is 30 percent or
more, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) Service-learning.--The term ``service-learning'' has
the meaning given such term in section 101 of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4545)
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