HB17-1022 Summary

• Mandates public schools teach history and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the history, culture, and contributions of American Indians, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans.

• Requires school districts to convene community forums to discuss civics content standards at least every 2 years, reducing the requirement from every 10 years.

• Establishes the History, Culture, and Civil Government in Education Commission with 15 members to make recommendations to the state board of education during the 2018 scheduled review of education standards.

• Appropriates $37,495 to the department of education for the 2017-18 fiscal year to implement the act, which may be used for content specialists.

• Requires the state board of education to consider commission recommendations when adopting revisions to history and civics standards pursuant to the six-year review process.