What's happening
This bill requires New York public schools to provide at least two hours per week of civics, character, and media literacy instruction for K-12 students.
Why it matters
Expands required instruction beyond basic civics to include media literacy, morals and ethics, racial and global harmony, and the practical application of these concepts, aiming to better prepare students for 21st-century societal challenges.
Mandates a significant time commitment—at least two hours per week—for civics, character, and media literacy education, which may require schools to adjust their schedules and curricula, potentially impacting other subjects.
Emphasizes both immediate and long-term impacts of civics and character lessons on students’ lives and their communities, suggesting a focus on real-life application rather than purely theoretical knowledge.
Requires all K-12 public school students over age five to receive this instruction, signaling a statewide, universal approach to fostering social responsibility, digital safety, and respect for diversity from an early age.
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Who cares
School boards and district trustees
They would have to require at least two hours of instruction per week in civility, citizenship and character education beginning in the 2019–2020 school year.
Public school teachers
They would deliver the required lessons, emphasizing practical applications and the short- and long-term effects on students and others.
Public school students over age five
They would receive the required instruction, with added topics including media literacy, racial and global harmony, and morals and ethics.
Board of Regents and education commissioner
They would oversee incorporation of the expanded instruction into existing curricula and any regulations needed to implement it.
Headline styles
Mandate Weekly Civics Lessons
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Weekly Civics Lessons
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2234
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring the public school curriculum for children in kindergarten through grade twelve to include a minimum of two hours per week instruction in civics lessons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 801-a of the education law, as amended by chapter 102 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
§ 801-a. Instruction in civility, citizenship and character education. 1. The regents shall ensure that the course of instruction in grades kindergarten through twelve includes a component on civility, citizenship and character education. Such component shall instruct students on the principles of honesty, tolerance, racial and global harmony, media literacy, personal responsibility, morals and ethics, respect for others, with an emphasis on discouraging acts of harassment, bullying, discrimination, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity and other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community. The instruction shall emphasize the practical application of such lessons and the short-term and long-term impact on the student's life and on the lives of others of implementing the lessons.
2. The boards of education and trustees of the cities and school districts of the state shall require instruction to be given in such matters for a minimum period of two hours per week, by the teachers employed in the schools therein, commencing with the two thousand nineteen--two thousand twenty school year. All pupils over the age of five years who attend public schools shall receive such instruction.
3. Such component shall include instruction of safe, responsible use of the internet and electronic communications. The regents shall determine how to incorporate such component in existing curricula and the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00812-01-9
A. 2234 2
commissioner shall promulgate any regulations needed to carry out such determination of the regents. For the purposes of this section, "tolerance," "respect for others" and "dignity" shall include awareness and sensitivity to harassment, bullying, discrimination and civility in the relations of people of different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.