GA OFFICE ALLOWANCE-TRANSFER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dave Vella

HB 1060 updates Arkansas public school curriculum for grades 7-12 to teach the failures of communist and autocratic governments, promoting U.S. constitutional values.

Referred to Rules Committee

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1060 (HB 1060) aims to revise the educational curriculum in Arkansas public schools to include comprehensive instruction on the failures of communist and autocratic governments. The bill seeks to reinforce the principles and resiliency of the constitutional republic system adopted by the United States.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following significant changes to the existing educational standards:

Curriculum Update:

The Arkansas Department of Education is required to review and update social studies standards for grades 7-12 by the 2026-2027 school year.
The updated curriculum must include age-appropriate materials that compare and contrast the successes of the U.S. constitutional republic with the failures of communist and autocratic systems.

Content Requirements:

The revised standards must cover a range of topics, including:
- Adherence to constitutional limitations in the U.S. government.
- The importance of an educated citizenry and its role in elections.
- The subservience of constitutional republics to their citizens versus other government forms.
- Historical records of oppression and mass murder under communist and autocratic regimes.
- Economic failures associated with these systems.
- Examples of historical failures of democracies transitioning into autocracies.

Definition of Terms:

The bill defines "communism and autocratic government" as systems where absolute power is concentrated in a single entity, lacking external legal constraints or mechanisms for popular control.

Affected Parties

Students: The primary impact will be on students in grades 7-12 in public schools across Arkansas, who will receive updated instruction based on the new standards.

Educators: Teachers will need to adapt to the new curriculum, which may involve additional training and resource development.

Department of Education: The Arkansas Department of Education will oversee the implementation of the new standards and ensure compliance across schools.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: December 9, 2024

Status: Reported from the Committee on Public Safety (PBS) as amended, with recommendations for passage on Second Reading and referral to the Finance Committee (FIN).

Timeline: The bill is expected to be fully implemented by the 2026-2027 school year, following the necessary updates and reviews by the Department of Education.

Conclusion

HB 1060 represents a significant shift in educational policy in Arkansas, emphasizing the importance of understanding different governmental systems and reinforcing the values of the U.S. constitutional republic. The bill's passage could lead to a more informed citizenry regarding the historical and contemporary implications of various governance models.

Bill