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Bill

SB 745

American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 2 co-sponsors

California creates a "State Seal of Civic Engagement" credential recognizing high school students meeting civics proficiency standards with a standardized curriculum guide.

August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
#americangovernmentandcivics #statesealofcivicengagement #curriculumguide
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Bill Summary · SB 745

Legislative bill overview

SB 745 establishes a "State Seal of Civic Engagement" program in California that recognizes high school students who demonstrate proficiency in American government and civics education. The bill requires the state to develop a curriculum guide for civics instruction and create a seal designation that students can earn and display on diplomas or transcripts upon meeting specified standards.

Why is this important

Civic literacy directly affects voter participation, informed decision-making, and democratic engagement among young people. This bill attempts to incentivize and standardize civics education across California's diverse school districts, potentially addressing declining civics knowledge among high school graduates while creating a credential that signals civic competency to colleges and employers.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum control and ideology: Disagreement over what constitutes appropriate civics content, particularly regarding which political perspectives and historical interpretations are included in the state-mandated curriculum guide
  • Implementation burden and cost: Schools may face resource constraints in developing programs to help students earn the seal, potentially widening achievement gaps between well-funded and under-resourced districts
  • Seal meaning and value: Uncertainty about whether the seal carries meaningful weight with colleges and employers, or risks becoming a participation trophy that dilutes its actual significance

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

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