Sen. Gallo Bill To Require Civics Education Passes RI Senate

The Rhode Island Senate has passed a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo that would make civics education a graduation requirement for all high school students.

The civics bill (2021-S 0076aa) is aimed at ensuring that all students understand the principles of democracy, how their government works, and the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, according to a release from the State House.

Live in West Warwick? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

“Solid civics education in public schools is absolutely critical to having an informed public,” said Gallo, who represents West Warwick and Cranston. “Students are the next generation of voters. They need and deserve to graduate with a healthy knowledge of how they can create the changes they want to see in their community, their state and their country.”

The bill would require that all public high school students demonstrate proficiency in civics, starting with the class of 2023. The measure allows individual school districts to determine how to do that, and does not require that students take any one specific class. Many aspects of civics are already integrated into the curriculum.

Gallo said civics education creates informed future voters and gives kids tools they can put to use right away. “I’m so proud of the kids I’ve seen at the State House, speaking up for the environment, for social justice or for efforts to prevent violence,” she said. “Young people do inspiring work when they know what they need to do to make their voices heard,” she said.

Gallo is vice chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee and serves on the Joint Commission on Civics Education. She was the sponsor of the 2005 law that led to the development of a statewide civics curriculum and standards for grades K through 12.

The bill, which has numerous co-sponsors, now goes to the House of Representatives.