HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1086        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 474

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to the incorporation of civics in the high school curriculum..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 2 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—

The board of education shall establish criteria for awarding a diploma seal for excellence in civics education, based on understanding of the state and federal constitutions and the democratic model of government for the standard and advanced studies diplomas. The board shall consider criteria for successful completion of history, government and civics course (including courses incorporating character education); voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities; and related requirements.