Bill > S2233

This bill establishes a new funding category specifically for civics education within the existing Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, creating a dedicated fund to support its effective instruction in all school districts. The allocation of these funds will be determined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, considering factors like student population size, socioeconomic status, and the number of multilingual learners, with specific amounts designated for teacher professional development, student-led civics projects, and departmental oversight. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education will approve and implement the distribution of these funds through a request for proposal (RFP) process, which involves a formal process where organizations submit proposals to receive funding for specific projects or services. Beginning in the fiscal year of July 1, 2027, the bill allocates one million dollars, with a significant portion dedicated to teacher training and civics-related initiatives, and this funding is set to increase by at least fifty percent annually thereafter, with the increased funds specifically targeted for professional development, curriculum development, community partnerships, and program evaluation, all subject to the commissioner's approval. The bill also includes provisions for unutilized funds to be carried forward to subsequent years and mandates the department to oversee and assess the effectiveness of the civics education fund, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2027.

Budget and Finance

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