First Substitute H.B. 269

Representative LaVar Christensen proposes the following substitute bill:

1 COMMISSION ON CIVIC AND CHARACTER EDUCATION
2 2011 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: LaVar Christensen
5 Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill establishes reporting requirements for school districts regarding civic and
10 character education taught in schools.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . requires school districts to submit a summary report to the lieutenant governor and
14 Commission on Civic and Character Education on how civic and character
15 education is integrated in school curriculum.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 53A-13-109, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 196
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 53A-13-109 is amended to read:

26 53A-13-109. Civic and Character Education -- Definitions -- Legislative finding --
27 Elements -- Reporting requirements.
28 (1) As used in this section:
29 (a) "Character Education" means reaffirming values and qualities of character which
30 promote an upright and desirable citizenry.
31 (b) "Civic Education" means the cultivation of informed, responsible participation in
32 political life by competent citizens committed to the fundamental values and principles of
33 representative democracy in Utah and the United States.
34 (c) "Values" means time-established principles or standards of worth.
35 (2) The Legislature recognizes that:
36 (a) Civic and Character Education are fundamental elements of the public education
37 system's core mission as originally intended and established under Article X of the Utah
38 Constitution;
39 (b) Civic and Character Education are fundamental elements of the constitutional
40 responsibility of public education and shall be a continuing emphasis and focus in public
41 schools;
42 (c) the cultivation of a continuing understanding and appreciation of representative
43 democracy in Utah and the United States among succeeding generations of educated and
44 responsible citizens is important to the nation and state;
45 (d) the primary responsibility for the education of children within the state resides with
46 their parents or guardians and that the role of state and local governments is to support and
47 assist parents in fulfilling that responsibility;
48 (e) public schools fulfill a vital purpose in the preparation of succeeding generations of
49 informed and responsible citizens who are deeply attached to essential democratic values and
50 institutions; and
51 (f) the happiness and security of American society relies upon the public virtue of its
52 citizens which requires a united commitment to a moral social order where self-interests are
53 willingly subordinated to the greater common good.
54 (3) Through an integrated curriculum, students shall be taught in connection with
55 regular school work:
56 (a) honesty, integrity, morality, civility, duty, honor, service, and obedience to law;

57 (b) respect for and an understanding of the Declaration of Independence and the
58 Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Utah;
59 (c) Utah history, including territorial and preterritorial development to the present;
60 (d) the essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system;
61 (e) respect for parents, home, and family;
62 (f) the dignity and necessity of honest labor; and
63 (g) other skills, habits, and qualities of character which will promote an upright and
64 desirable citizenry and better prepare students to recognize and accept responsibility for
65 preserving and defending the blessings of liberty inherited from prior generations and secured
66 by the constitution.
67 (4) Local school boards and school administrators may provide training, direction, and
68 encouragement, as needed, to accomplish the intent and requirements of this section and to
69 effectively emphasize Civic and Character Education in the course of regular instruction in the
70 public schools.
71 (5) Civic and Character Education in public schools are:
72 (a) not intended to be separate programs in need of special funding or added specialists
73 to be accomplished; and
74 (b) core principles which reflect the shared values of the citizens of Utah and the
75 founding principles upon which representative democracy in the United States and the state of
76 Utah are based.
77 (6) To assist the Commission on Civic and Character Education in fulfilling the
78 commission's duties under Section 67-1A-10 , by December 30 of each year, each school
79 district shall submit to the lieutenant governor and the commission a report summarizing how
80 civic and character education are achieved in the school district through an integrated school
81 curriculum and in the regular course of school work as provided in this section.