SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking section 2 in its entirety and inserting in its place the following section:-

Section 2. In all public elementary and high schools, American history and civics, including the constitution of the United States, the declaration of independence and the bill of rights, and in all public high schools, the constitution of the commonwealth and local history and government, and a program relating to the overall electoral process, including, but not limited to, the initiative petition and referendum process, shall be taught as required subjects for the purpose of promoting civic service and a greater knowledge thereof, and of fitting the pupils, morally and intellectually, for the duties of citizenship. High school civic instruction for each public high school student shall be required as a means of graduation.