CS/CS/HB 7057 - Civic Literacy

• Designates September annually as "American Founders' Month" and authorizes the Governor to issue annual proclamations encouraging civic, fraternal, religious, and educational organizations to recognize the occasion.

• Establishes civic literacy as a priority of Florida's K-20 education system, defining it as preparing students to become civically engaged and knowledgeable adults who make positive contributions to their communities.

• Requires postsecondary students entering Florida College System institutions or state universities beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy through either course completion or passing assessment.

• Mandates a joint faculty committee appointed by the State Board of Education and Board of Governors to develop civic literacy courses or revise existing American History or Government courses with competencies including understanding of American democracy, the U.S. Constitution, founding documents, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

• Expands the Just Read, Florida! Office duties to develop curriculum resources for elementary schools and encourages public schools to coordinate founding fathers instruction with American Founders' Month.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.