NC H588

Requires North Carolina high schools to teach a semester-long course titled "American History I – The Founding Principles" covering 10 specific topics including Creator-endowed rights, separation of powers, rule of law, and individual rights in the Bill of Rights, with a passing grade required for graduation.

Permits public school teachers and administrators to read or post historical excerpts including the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers, founding fathers' writings, and Supreme Court decisions without content-based censorship of religious references.

Allows local school administrative units to display historical documents and objects that influenced U.S. law and governance (such as the Magna Carta, Ten Commandments, and Mecklenburg Declaration) with accompanying First Amendment disclaimer, provided displays do not promote religion.

Requires state Board of Education to include questions about the philosophical foundations of American government and founding documents in high school curriculum-based tests beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year.

Directs the Department of Public Instruction to provide curriculum content and teacher training for the required course and submit biennial reports to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on implementation, effective starting the 2014-2015 school year.