SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1496        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 254

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Richard T. Moore

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to involve youth in civic engagement.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Richard T. Moore

Worcester and Norfolk

Michael F. Rush

Norfolk and Suffolk

Michael R. Knapik

Second Hampden and Hampshire

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

Mark C. Montigny

Second Bristol and Plymouth

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1496        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 254

By Mr. Richard T. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Richard T. Moore, Michael F. Rush, Michael R. Knapik, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to involve youth in civic engagement.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act to involve youth in civic engagement.

 

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

SECTION 1. The department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with a youth advisory committee, as set forth in section 2 of this act, shall develop a model curriculum which shall align with the history/social science curriculum framework and address the following topics: (i) the function and composition of the branches of local, state, and federal government; (ii) the history of social movements, current events, and (iii) community-based action and service-learning projects. The model curriculum for the teaching and learning system shall be developed no later than the 2013-2014 school year. The department shall create an evaluation assessing the curriculum, pedagogy and teaching materials before piloting this program.

SECTION 2. There shall be a youth advisory committee consisting of 2 members of the governor’s youth council; 2 members of the state student advisory council; 1 member of the special commission on civic engagement and learning, and; 2 members of teens leading the way.  The department shall consult with the youth advisory committee in the development, review, enhancement, and evaluation of the model curriculum. The involvement of the youth advisory committee by the department shall coincide with the department’s timeline for developing the model curriculum in the history and social science framework.

SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of elementary and secondary education shall make an inventory of school district compliance with section 2 of chapter 71 of the General Laws.  The department shall assist any district that is identified as non-compliant with the aforementioned section in achieving compliance in a timely manner.