A bipartisan bill introduced on June 13 by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) would authorize a $1 billion federal investment to expand access to civics education across K-12 and higher education in the United States.
“America’s history unites us as Americans. Civics education tells that story,” Sen. Cassidy said. “As we seek to overcome our divides, telling this story is essential.”
Sen. Cassidy is one of five original cosponsors of the Civics Secures Democracy Act, S. 4384, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) to expand educational programming in history and civics, with funding available for state education agencies, nonprofits and institutions of higher education and research.
Among several provisions, S. 4384 would create a Civics Secures Democracy Fund first supported by using COVID-relief funds for programs that have since expired to provide $1 billion annually for civics and history initiatives, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s staff.
Funding for such initiatives would provide: $585 million for state education agencies, which would pass on grants to local education districts to support civics and history education programs, with a focus on closing civics achievement gaps; $200 million for nonprofit organizations to develop and provide access to evidence-based civics and history curricula and programs; and $150 million for institutions of higher education to support civics and history educator preparation and ongoing development.
Additionally, $50 million would be allotted for researchers to assess and evaluate civics and history education programs and identify best instructional practices; and $15 million would be provided for a new Prince Hall Civics Fellowship program, which would diversify the civics and history education workforce by recognizing outstanding educators from underrepresented communities and provide a supplemental stipend in exchange for a five year teaching commitment, the summary says.
S. 4384 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.