HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3573 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 716
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Andres X. Vargas
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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 creating an inclusive vision for implementing civics studies (CIVICS).
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Andres X. Vargas | 3rd Essex | 2/19/2021 |
Christina A. Minicucci | 14th Essex | 2/26/2021 |
Patrick Joseph Kearney | 4th Plymouth | 2/26/2021 |
Vanna Howard | 17th Middlesex | 2/26/2021 |
Michelle L. Ciccolo | 15th Middlesex | 2/26/2021 |
Lindsay N. Sabadosa | 1st Hampshire | 2/26/2021 |
Mary S. Keefe | 15th Worcester | 3/2/2021 |
Tram T. Nguyen | 18th Essex | 3/25/2021 |
Paul F. Tucker | 7th Essex | 4/7/2021 |
Brian M. Ashe | 2nd Hampden | 4/7/2021 |
Patricia A. Duffy | 5th Hampden | 4/8/2021 |
Harriette L. Chandler | First Worcester | 4/8/2021 |
Steven C. Owens | 29th Middlesex | 4/13/2021 |
Erika Uyterhoeven | 27th Middlesex | 4/19/2021 |
Danillo A. Sena | 37th Middlesex | 5/7/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3573 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 716
By Mr. Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 716) of Andres X. Vargas and others for legislation to award school districts and individual schools that show excellence in producing and promoting civics projects. Education. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act creating an inclusive vision for implementing civics studies (CIVICS).
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. For purposes of this act, the following word shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meaning:
“civics project”, means a civics project as defined by the department of elementary and secondary education’s civics project guidebook.
SECTION 2. Section 2CCCCC (b) of chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out in the first sentence the word "may” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- shall.
And further amended by inserting after the word “training” the following words:- and stipends for teachers and administrators.
SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 71 of the General Laws is herby amended by inserting after subsection d the following:-
(e) Each public school district shall designate at least one teacher or administrator to lead the successful implementation of this section for each of said district's public schools serving students in the eighth grade and each public high school. School districts may designate one administrator for multiple schools.
(f) The department shall, in collaboration with the Massachusetts civic learning coalition and civics education researchers, develop a “civics seal” to award to school districts and individual schools that show excellence in producing and promoting civics projects. The purpose of the seal shall be to formally recognize and highlight the accomplishments of school districts, schools, teachers and students and to provide teachers and administrators with the components and stages of a successful civics project. The department shall develop an application process for school districts and individual schools to apply for the “civics seal” and shall promulgate rules and regulations for awarding the seal, provided that these rules prioritize school districts and individual schools that provide each public eighth grade student and each public high school student with an equitable opportunity to lead a civics project. The department shall develop a website to showcase school districts and individual schools that are awarded a “civics seal” and the civics projects produced by the students of said school districts and individual schools. School districts and individual schools shall not be obligated to apply for a “civics seal”.