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

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 712 BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO EDUCATION; AMENDING CHAPTER 5, TITLE 33, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDI-2 TION OF A NEW SECTION 33-528, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE IDAHO STATE3 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE IN CIVICS PROGRAM; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND4 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Chapter 5, Title 33, Idaho Code, be, and the same is7 hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-8 ignated as Section 33-528, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:9 33-528. IDAHO STATE SEAL OF EXCELLENCE IN CIVICS PROGRAM. (1) The10 legislature finds that a strong constitutional republic relies on citizens11 who possess civic knowledge, civic skills, civic values, and a commitment to12 constructive civic participation. It is the intent of the legislature to es-13 tablish a voluntary diploma endorsement program recognizing Idaho students14 who have achieved excellence in civics education and civic engagement.15 (2) There is hereby established the Idaho state seal of excellence in16 civics to recognize graduating high school students who have attained a high17 level of civics proficiency and civic engagement.18 (3) Participation in the Idaho state seal of excellence in civics pro-19 gram is voluntary for school districts and public charter schools. A school20 district or public charter school shall notify the superintendent of public21 instruction of its intent to participate. Each participating school dis-22 trict or public charter school shall:23 (a) Maintain records of students who meet program requirements;24 (b) Identify each eligible student prior to graduation;25 (c) Affix the state seal to each eligible student's diploma and note the26 award on the student's transcript; and27 (d) Allow eligible students to wear a red, white, and blue honor cord28 during graduation ceremonies to recognize the achievement.29 (4) To earn the Idaho state seal of excellence in civics, a student30 shall meet the following requirements:31 (a) Demonstrate civic knowledge by:32 (i) Successful completion of all state-required social studies33 coursework for graduation with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher in34 such courses;35 (ii) Demonstrating mastery, which shall be ninety percent (90%)36 or higher, on the Idaho civics assessment required by section37 33-1602, Idaho Code; and38 (iii) Completion of a civics inquiry or research project, which39 may include:40 1. A civics readiness research project;41 2. A capstone paper or presentation;42

2 3. An advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or1 dual credit civics or government project; or2 4. A standards-aligned civics inquiry investigation;3 (b) Demonstrate civic participation by completing at least three (3) of4 the following:5 (i) Service learning or community service, requiring completion6 of at least fifty (50) hours of voluntary service with a public7 agency, school, nonprofit organization, or charitable organiza-8 tion that contributes to the public good. Students who enlist in9 the armed forces of the United States prior to graduation shall be10 deemed to have met this requirement;11 (ii) Civic engagement activities, requiring participation in at12 least fifteen (15) hours of civic engagement activities, such as13 public meetings, mock trial, model united nations, American le-14 gion boys state or American legion auxiliary girls state, youth15 legislature, local government internship, or student government;16 (iii) Completion of at least two (2) approved civic learning pro-17 grams, including:18 1. Junior reserve officers' training corps, with a minimum19 two (2) year participation;20 2. Summer civics institutes;21 3. School-sponsored extracurricular civics programs; or22 4. Projects aligned to Idaho and United States government23 standards; or24 (iv) Civics-related work experience, including internships,25 volunteering, and other work-based learning opportunities; and26 (c) Demonstrate good attendance and not incur any major disciplinary27 infractions, as defined by local school board policy.28 (5) The state seal shall be affixed to the diploma of a student who sat-29 isfies the requirements of this section and shall be noted on the student's30 official transcript. The state superintendent of public instruction shall31 design and produce the insignia and deliver appropriate quantities to par-32 ticipating school districts and public charter schools at no cost to stu-33 dents.34 (6) The state department of education shall provide participating35 school districts and public charter schools with implementation guidance36 surrounding participation in the state seal of excellence in civics program,37 including:38 (a) Rubrics, examples of eligible activities, and reporting templates;39 (b) Professional development to support instruction aligned to civics40 proficiency; and41 (c) Annually, a list of approved civic learning programs. Schools may42 design local projects, assessments, or activities that align with state43 civics standards.44 (7) Participating school districts and public charter schools shall45 report to the state department of education by August 1 each year:46 (a) The number of students awarded the Idaho state seal of excellence in47 civics; and48 (b) Aggregate data on student participation in civic learning path-49 ways.50

3 (8) Any school that demonstrates that seventy-five percent (75%) or1 more of its graduating senior students have earned the Idaho state seal of2 excellence in civics shall be identified by the state department of educa-3 tion as an Idaho school of civics excellence.4 (9) The state department of education shall publish an annual statewide5 summary for the Idaho legislature, governor, and communities regarding ex-6 cellence in civics throughout the state.7

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby8 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after9 July 1, 2026.10