Bill > HB5583

This bill, titled the "West Virginia Seal of Civic Literacy Act," establishes a formal recognition for high school students who demonstrate exceptional mastery of civics, aiming to foster an informed and engaged citizenry essential for a constitutional republic. The West Virginia Department of Education (the "Department") will administer this program, which will award a "Seal of Civic Literacy" to eligible students—those enrolled in West Virginia public or charter schools who have completed required civics coursework. To earn the seal, students must either score 90% or higher on the state-required civics assessment (a test already mandated for graduation), achieve a score of four or five on specific Advanced Placement (AP) exams in U.S. Government and Politics or U.S. History, or earn a 90% or higher in a dual credit U.S. History or U.S. Government course from an accredited higher education institution. This seal, which will be affixed to a student's diploma or transcript, serves as an official academic distinction that can be used for college applications, scholarships, and employment, and it does not alter existing graduation requirements. The bill also outlines the Department's responsibilities in designing and implementing the seal, the duties of county boards and charter schools in identifying and verifying eligible students, and encourages the Department to promote awareness of this new distinction. Funding for the seal will be sought through existing resources, partnerships, donations, grants, and competitive education funds, with an emphasis on minimizing new costs for schools.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5583&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill