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2022 New Hampshire Revised Statutes
Title XV - Education
Title 189 - School Boards, Superintendents, Teachers, and Truant Officers; School Census
Section 189:11 - Instruction in National and State History and Government.
Universal Citation: NH Rev Stat § 189:11 (2022)
189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government. –
I. In all public and private schools in the state there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the history, government and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire, including the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county and state government and of the federal government. Such instruction shall begin not later than the beginning of the eighth grade and shall continue in all high schools as a component of a one credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire history and a one-half credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire government/civics. A school district shall develop and offer the United States and New Hampshire government/civics course and at a minimum, the course shall include instruction in the following areas:
(a) Opportunities and responsibilities for civic involvement.
(b) Skills to effectively participate in civic affairs.
(c) The U.S. Constitution and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United States.
(d) The New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New Hampshire.
(e) The structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments: legislative, judicial, and executive.
(f) The role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity.
(g) The role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to local governments.
(h) How federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.
(i) The role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of monetary policy.
(j) How intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination have evolved in the past, and can evolve, into genocide and mass violence, such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices.
II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. Students who attain a passing grade on the competency assessment shall be eligible for a certificate issued by the school district. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test may be used to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph. By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of either the locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.
II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the required high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. To be eligible for a graduation certificate, a student shall attain a locally sanctioned passing grade on the competency assessment, and a grade of 70 percent or better on the 128 question civics (history and government) naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services. Schools are required to provide accommodations and may modify the naturalization examination for a child with a disability in accordance with the child's individualized education program. By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.
I. In all public and private schools in the state there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the history, government and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire, including the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county and state government and of the federal government. Such instruction shall begin not later than the beginning of the eighth grade and shall continue in all high schools as a component of a one credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire history and a one-half credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire government/civics. A school district shall develop and offer the United States and New Hampshire government/civics course and at a minimum, the course shall include instruction in the following areas:
(a) Opportunities and responsibilities for civic involvement.
(b) Skills to effectively participate in civic affairs.
(c) The U.S. Constitution and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United States.
(d) The New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New Hampshire.
(e) The structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments: legislative, judicial, and executive.
(f) The role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity.
(g) The role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to local governments.
(h) How federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.
(i) The role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of monetary policy.
(j) How intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination have evolved in the past, and can evolve, into genocide and mass violence, such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices.
[Paragraph II effective until July 1, 2023; see also paragraph II set out below.]
II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. Students who attain a passing grade on the competency assessment shall be eligible for a certificate issued by the school district. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test may be used to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph. By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of either the locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.
[Paragraph II effective July 1, 2023; see also paragraph II set out above.]
II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the required high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. To be eligible for a graduation certificate, a student shall attain a locally sanctioned passing grade on the competency assessment, and a grade of 70 percent or better on the 128 question civics (history and government) naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services. Schools are required to provide accommodations and may modify the naturalization examination for a child with a disability in accordance with the child's individualized education program. By June 30 of each year, each school district shall submit the results of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education.
Source. 1923, 47:2. PL 117:9. RL 135:11. RSA 189:11. 1975, 183:2. 2016, 7:1. 2017, 107:1, eff. Aug. 7, 2017. 2018, 352:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2018. 2020, 29:14, eff. Sept. 21, 2020. 2021, 157:1, eff. July 1, 2023. 2022, 116:1, eff. July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m July 1, 2023.
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