HB 18-1276 Summary

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

• Requires school district community forums on civics content standards to be held at least every 2 years instead of every 10 years, with the new commission actively participating in these forums.

• Establishes a 15-member History, Culture, and Civil Government in Education Commission to make recommendations to the state board of education during its six-year review of education standards, with membership representing diverse ethnic communities, educators, higher education, and school administration.

• Directs the state board of education to consider commission recommendations when revising history and civics standards in its regular six-year review cycle.

• Appropriates $37,495 to the Department of Education for the 2018-19 fiscal year to hire content specialists to implement this act.