Would you like to offer your input on the new civics engagement project pilot program that was passed during the 2020 state legislative session?

This pilot project allows certain districts or charter schools to implement and test whether a civics engagement project ought to be required for a high school diploma. Currently a civics exam is required for graduation, but this past legislative session some debated its usefulness. A bill to get rid of the test failed, but the Legislature passed this pilot program as a way to further study civics education in Utah. A civics engagement project could be many things, but the goal is to put knowledge into practice. A project might be proposing solutions for cleaning a park or helping students access public transportation.

The Utah State Board of Education finished drafting the proposed rule and it is now open for public comments until July 1, 2020.

We’re getting close to the end of a 30-day public comment period – a state requirement for all administrative rules before enactment – where members of the public can submit input to the Utah State Board of Education about the rule. Input can include additional ideas or concerns.

In a time of civil unrest and national efforts to change history education, it’s important for Utahns to give input to civics education for young students in the state.

• You can read the entire proposed administrative rule here.
• You can reach out to the Utah State Board of Education here.
• You can read the state bulletin of all the currently proposed administrative rules, including the civics engagement pilot, here.
• You can read the authorizing legislation or the bill that created the program here.

Sutherland Institute’s recent series on civics education shows that our American founders understood that education would be the means by which our country would survive. Sadly, recent statistics show that few Americans can answer basic U.S. government and history questions. Improving civics education is becoming increasingly more important. Taking the time to weigh in on this conversation is key to Utah moving in the right direction and perhaps becoming the leader in the nation.

Note: If you’re wondering how or why input can be given if the law has already passed the state Legislature, remember that lawmakers make law (the legislative branch or state Legislature in this case), but agencies make administrative rules (typically the executive branch through boards or agencies, or the Utah State Board of Education in this case). Laws authorize specific boards or agencies to engage in rulemaking to create specifics around a policy.