Teaching of history, culture, and civil government (CRS. 22-1-104)

22-1-104. Teaching of history, culture, and civil government.

(1) The history and civil government of the state of Colorado shall be taught in all the public schools of this state.

(2) In addition, the history and civil government of the United States, which includes the history, culture, and contributions of minorities, including, but not limited to, the American Indians, the Hispanic Americans, and the African Americans, shall be taught in all the public schools of the state.

(3) (a) Satisfactory completion of a course on the civil government of the United States and the state of Colorado, which includes the subjects described in subsection (2) of this section, shall be a condition of high school graduation in the public schools of this state.

(b) The condition of graduation described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) shall apply only to students entering their first year of high school on and after August 6, 2003.

(4) (a) In an effort to increase civic participation among young people, each school district board of education shall convene a community forum on a periodic basis, but not less than once every ten years, for all interested persons to discuss adopted content standards in civics, including the subjects described in subsection (2) of this section.

(b) Based upon input from this community forum, each school district board of education shall determine how the subject areas specified in this section are addressed when establishing graduation requirements.

(5) (a) In an effort to strengthen the teaching of the history of the state of Colorado and of the United States in all public schools of the state in accordance with the requirements of this section, the department of education shall assist the school districts of the state in developing and promoting programs for elementary and secondary students that engage the students in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics.

(b) The department of education is authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations in furtherance of the objectives specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (5).

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the objectives specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (5) are to be funded through the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution. The general assembly hereby finds that the development, promotion, and maintenance by the school districts of the state of programs for elementary and secondary students that engage such students in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics assists these students in meeting state academic standards and may therefore be funded from moneys in the state education fund.

(6) (a) In an effort to strengthen the teaching of civic education in all public schools of the state in accordance with the requirements of this section, the department of education shall assist the school districts of the state in developing and promoting programs for elementary and secondary students that address the state model content standards for civics and promote best practices in civic education.

(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the objectives specified in this subsection (6) are to be funded through the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution. The general assembly hereby finds that the development, promotion, and maintenance by the school districts of the state of programs for elementary and secondary students that address the state model content standards for civics and promote best practices in civic education assist these students in meeting state academic standards and may therefore be funded from moneys in the state education fund.

Source: L. 21: p. 728, 1. C.L. 8498. CSA: C. 146, 292. CRS 53: 123-21-4. C.R.S. 1963: 123-21-4. L. 69: p. 1022, 2. L. 98: (2) amended, p. 328, 1, effective April 17. L. 2003: (3) and (4) added, p. 1228, 1, effective August 6. L. 2004: (5) added, p. 875, 2, effective May 21. L. 2005: (6) added, p. 438, 14, effective April 29. L. 2015: (4)(a) amended, (HB 15-1323), ch. 204, p. 719, 17, effective May 20.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2004 act enacting subsection (5), see section 1 of chapter 251, Session Laws of Colorado 2004.