Bill > SB584

This bill aims to enhance civic education and engagement for students in California from grades 1 to 12 by making several key changes to the education system. It requires social science instruction to include civic engagement experiences with governmental institutions, expanding beyond traditional content knowledge to provide practical interactions with local, state, and national government entities. The bill establishes a California Serves Program that will promote service learning across all grade levels, with the goal of helping students potentially earn a State Seal of Civic Engagement. Schools will be required to implement a Civic Engagement Pathway Program for grades 1 to 8, providing opportunities for students to interact with government institutions and learn about democratic processes. The State Department of Education, in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers, will be responsible for developing strategies, metrics, and recommendations to support these new civic engagement initiatives. The program includes potential grants of up to $500,000 annually for local educational agencies with high percentages of unduplicated pupils, which can be used for planning time, professional development, instructional materials, and participation costs related to service learning. Ultimately, the bill seeks to create comprehensive pathways for students to become active, informed participants in their communities and government by integrating practical civic experiences into their educational journey.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB584