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HR 139

A RESOLUTION urging the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students’ knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the United States of America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of the United States.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Decker

Urges Kentucky education agencies to develop and implement a plan to strengthen constitutional literacy and civic education across K-16, with a clear timeline and review.

adopted by voice vote
#constitution #u.s. #education #elementaryandsecondary #higher #vocational #secretaryofstate #stateagencies
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Bill Summary · HR 139

Summary of Bill HR 139 (2026RS, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

  • This is a House Resolution urging state education authorities to develop and implement strategies to improve Kentucky students’ knowledge and understanding of the U.S. constitutional republic and the democratic processes described in the U.S. Constitution.
  • It emphasizes the importance of citizenship education to prepare informed, active participants in a constitutional republic and to bolster confidence in government functioning within constitutional limits.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Strategic Initiative

  • Urges the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), in partnership with the Secretary of State and other education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline aimed at improving students’ understanding of the Constitution and related democratic processes.

Section 2 – Review of Current State of Knowledge

  • Calls for a comprehensive review by KDE, CPE, and other public primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions.
  • The review should assess:
    • Curriculum requirements
    • Assessments of student knowledge
    • Teacher competencies in constitutional education
    • Any other relevant data and information

Section 3 – Expanded Civic Education Activities

  • Encourages institutions to go beyond federal minimums:
    • Dedicate the entire day on September 17 (Constitution Day) to Constitution-focused educational activities.
    • Incorporate constitution education throughout the academic year.

Section 4 – Use of Public Resources

  • Encourages the use of publicly available resources from:
    • The U.S. Department of Education (ED) web resources
    • Other entities dedicated to spreading knowledge of foundational U.S. documents

Section 5 – Implementation and Timeline

  • Urges development of implementation strategies and a concrete timeline to improve knowledge of the Constitution, democratic processes, and civic engagement.
  • Encourages alignment with existing state efforts to promote civic literacy.

Section 6 – Administrative Details

  • Directs the Clerk of the House to transmit a copy of the resolution to the President of CPE and the Commissioner of Education.

Affected Entities and Stakeholders

  • Primary:
    • Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)
    • Kentucky Department of Education (KDE)
  • Partners:
    • Secretary of State
    • Other education entities (as designated)
  • Educational Institutions:
    • Public primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions in Kentucky
  • Students:
    • K-12 and postsecondary students receiving federal funds and, by extension, all students targeted by state civic literacy efforts

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Status: Introduced and referred on April 15, 2026; subsequently moved to House Floor and adopted by voice vote the same day.
  • No specific funding amounts or statutory mandates are included in the resolution; it calls for strategic development and timelines to be established by the relevant education bodies.
  • The resolution serves as a policy directive urging action rather than creating new mandatory requirements or program appropriations.

Practical Implications

  • Potential for enhanced curriculum review and professional development focused on constitutional literacy.
  • Increased emphasis on Constitution Day activities and ongoing civic education throughout the year.
  • Use of national public resources to inform state education practices.
  • Establishment of a formal timeline could lead to measurable progress benchmarks for students’ constitutional knowledge.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: (House member listed as co-sponsor) Jennifer Decker

Note: This summary focuses on the bill as a non-binding resolution intended to guide and encourage state education agencies toward strengthening constitutional and civic education.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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