Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics Program.

This legislation creates a State Seal of Excellence in Civics, which is a voluntary high school diploma endorsement recognizing Idaho students that have attained a high level of civics knowledge and engagement. This seal acknowledges that Idaho’s public schools have a responsibility to educate future citizens who possess civic knowledge, skills, and values that can sustain our constitutional republic. In order to attain this seal, students must meet requirements that demonstrate both civic knowledge— including earning high grades in U.S. history and U.S. government, and demonstrated mastery on the state Civics Test— and civic participation, including community service and structured extracurricular activities, such as speech and debate, boys’ or girls’ state, internships, or participation with Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC). Additionally, schools can earn designation as an Idaho School of Civics Excellence. The Idaho Department of Education will provide support for those school districts and public charter schools that participate in awarding this seal.