UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 404
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A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Council on Postsecondary Education and the 1
Kentucky Board of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of the State and other 2
education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students' 3
knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the United States and the democratic 4
processes. 5
WHEREAS, many students exit secondary and postsecondary education without an 6
in-depth understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the Constitution 7
of the United States; and 8
WHEREAS, education for citizenship is important to help all students evolve into 9
active participants in a democratic society; and 10
WHEREAS, the United States was founded on the principle of "government by the 11
people"; and 12
WHEREAS, evidence of apathy and decline in confidence that government can 13
solve important national problems appears to be on the rise; and 14
WHEREAS, having comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the 15
Constitution of the United States is fundamental to leadership in a democratic society; 16
and 17
WHEREAS, knowledge and understanding are critical to developing the 18
"communication skills necessary to function in a complex and changing civilization," 19
specified in KRS 158.645 as one of the capacities needed by all Kentucky students; and 20
WHEREAS, "understanding of governmental processes as they affect the 21
community, the state, and the nation" is also identified by the General Assembly in KRS 22
158.645 as an essential capacity for all Kentucky students; and 23
WHEREAS, students must have a core of basic knowledge about social and cultural 24
issues and institutions in an ever-increasing diverse world to allow them to put their 25
understanding of democracy in perspective; and 26
WHEREAS, public schools and the governing boards of other educational 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 404
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institutions are ultimately responsible for providing the leadership to ensure Kentucky 1
students leave school with the essential skills and knowledge for responsible citizenship; 2
NOW, THEREFORE, 3
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 4
Section 1. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Council on Postsecondary 5
Education, the Education Professional Standards Board, and the Kentucky Board of 6
Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and other education entities shall 7
examine the current level of skills and knowledge of Kentucky students relating to the 8
Constitution of the United States and the democratic processes. They shall examine the 9
curriculum requirements at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels for all 10
Kentucky students; assessments of student knowledge at these levels and results of those 11
assessments; requirements for teacher competencies in these areas; and other relevant 12
data and information that would inform the study. 13
Section 2. The entities identified in Section 1 of this Resolution shall devise 14
implementation strategies, including a specific timeline to improve Kentucky students' 15
knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the United States, the democratic 16
processes, and the students' civic engagement. In the development of these strategies, 17
current state efforts to promote civic literacy shall be incorporated where appropriate. 18
Section 3. The commissioner of education, the executive director of the 19
Education Professional Standards Board, and the President of the Council on 20
Postsecondary Education shall provide a report to the Interim Joint Committee on 21
Education by August 1, 2024, and shall present the draft implementation plan required 22
under Section 2 of this Resolution by December 1, 2024, to the Interim Joint Committee 23
on Education. 24