53A-13-109. Civic and Character Education -- Definitions -- Legislative finding --
Elements.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Character Education" means reaffirming values and qualities of character which
promote an upright and desirable citizenry.
(b) "Civic Education" means the cultivation of informed, responsible participation in
political life by competent citizens committed to the fundamental values and principles of
representative democracy in Utah and the United States.
(c) "Values" means time-established principles or standards of worth.
(2) The Legislature recognizes that:
(a) Civic and Character Education are fundamental elements of the public education
system's core mission as originally intended and established under Article X of the Utah
Constitution;
(b) Civic and Character Education are fundamental elements of the constitutional
responsibility of public education and shall be a continuing emphasis and focus in public schools;
(c) the cultivation of a continuing understanding and appreciation of representative
democracy in Utah and the United States among succeeding generations of educated and
responsible citizens is important to the nation and state;
(d) the primary responsibility for the education of children within the state resides with
their parents or guardians and that the role of state and local governments is to support and assist
parents in fulfilling that responsibility;
(e) public schools fulfill a vital purpose in the preparation of succeeding generations of
informed and responsible citizens who are deeply attached to essential democratic values and
institutions; and
(f) the happiness and security of American society relies upon the public virtue of its
citizens which requires a united commitment to a moral social order where self-interests are
willingly subordinated to the greater common good.
(3) Through an integrated curriculum, students shall be taught in connection with regular
school work:
(a) honesty, integrity, morality, civility, duty, honor, service, and obedience to law;
(b) respect for and an understanding of the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Utah;
(c) Utah history, including territorial and preterritorial development to the present;
(d) the essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system;
(e) respect for parents, home, and family;
(f) the dignity and necessity of honest labor; and
(g) other skills, habits, and qualities of character which will promote an upright and
desirable citizenry and better prepare students to recognize and accept responsibility for
preserving and defending the blessings of liberty inherited from prior generations and secured by
the constitution.
(4) Local school boards and school administrators may provide training, direction, and
encouragement, as needed, to accomplish the intent and requirements of this section and to
effectively emphasize Civic and Character Education in the course of regular instruction in the
public schools.
(5) Civic and Character Education in public schools are:
(a) not intended to be separate programs in need of special funding or added specialists
to be accomplished; and
(b) core principles which reflect the shared values of the citizens of Utah and the
founding principles upon which representative democracy in the United States and the state of
Utah are based.
Enacted by Chapter 196, 2004 General Session
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Last revised: Wednesday, July 23, 2008