Bill > S300

This bill, known as the NC REACH Act (Reclaiming College Education on America's Constitutional Heritage Act), requires all students at University of North Carolina (UNC) constituent institutions and North Carolina community colleges to complete at least three credit hours of American history or American government instruction as a condition of graduating with a baccalaureate or associate degree. The course must provide a comprehensive overview of major events and turning points in American history and government, and require students to read key historical documents including the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, selected Federalist Papers, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Gettysburg Address, and the North Carolina State Constitution. The course must include a final exam worth at least 20% of the total course grade, focusing on the principles and contexts of these documents. Students may be exempted if they have already completed similar coursework through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education exams, or dual enrollment courses. The bill mandates that these requirements do not increase the total credit hours needed for graduation or conflict with institutional accreditation, and requires annual reporting to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. The act becomes effective for students enrolling in the 2026-2027 academic year, with potential consequences for institutional leaders who fail to comply, including possible removal by the Board of Governors or State Board of Community Colleges.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S300