GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 352 2021 Regular Session Hodges
CURRICULA: Provides relative to required instruction in American history and civics
in public schools
DIGEST
Proposed law requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to
consider incorporating standards related to the following topics into the state content
standards for social studies:
(1)The Creator-endowed unalienable rights of the people.
(2)Structure of government and separation of powers with checks and balances.
(3)Frequent and free elections in a representative government.
(4)Rule of law.
(5)Equal justice under the law.
(6)Private property rights.
(7)Federalism.
(8)Due process.
(9)Individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights.
(10)Individual responsibility.
(11)National sovereignty.
(12)The ideas and form of government that make the American experiment unique.
Proposed law requires BESE to publish a notice of any hearing held regarding the
development of social studies standards pursuant to proposed law in the official journal of
each parish in the state.
(Adds R.S. 17:24.4(M))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Regarding lists of founding principles to be taught, remove certain proposed
additions and limit the ones required in K-8 instruction.
2. Require instructional materials to include certain primary historical
documents.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Delete provisions amending present law relative to required instruction of
specified information regarding the founding principles of the U.S. in certain
high school American history and civics courses.
2. Delete requirement that instruction in civics, including the founding
principles of the U.S., be provided to students in grades K-8.
3. Delete requirement that specified documents be used in instruction.
4. Delete legislative findings.
5. Require BESE to consider incorporating standards related to the founding
principles of the U.S. into the content standards for social studies.
6. Require BESE to publish notice of hearings held regarding the development
of social studies standards on the specified topics in the official journal of
every parish.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston.