WA HB1963

School districts operating high schools must provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone civics course for all high school students, with credit applied toward social studies graduation requirements

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, civics courses must expand to include voter registration processes, media literacy skills for combating online misinformation, tools for initiating public policy change, and factors influencing political participation such as redistricting and gerrymandering

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must identify and post media literacy and civic education materials by September 1, 2025, in collaboration with 501(c)(3) nonprofits engaged in media literacy or civic education

Media literacy resources must be reviewed at least every five years to ensure continued relevance for students

Legislature cites concerns including student difficulty distinguishing real from fake news, spread of deepfakes, and 2022 data showing only 46% of Americans could name all three branches of government