Gov. Baker signs civics education bill

Law requires nonpartisan civics lessons and encourages youth voter registration

Gov. Charlie Baker signed a nonpartisan civics education bill last week aimed at encouraging youth involvement in national and local government.

At an unannounced signing in the State House Nov. 8, Baker passed revised civics education measures into law, giving eighth-grade or high school students the opportunity to participate in student-led civics projects and register or pre-register to vote.

“Our administration is pleased to introduce new ways to strengthen civics education in the Commonwealth’s public schools by signing this bill into law,” said Baker. “We are grateful to our partners in the Legislature for their willingness to work with us on ensuring a nonpartisan process for students to pursue civics related opportunities.”

The bill, initially passed by the Legislature in July, was amended by Baker with measures his administration says will ensure the voter registration challenge remains a nonpartisan enterprise. Baker also added provisions that will allow students to opt out of individual or group projects. The Legislature passed the amendments and sent the bill back to Baker at the end of October. Last Thursday was the deadline for action on the bill. The changes are expected to go into effect in the 2020-2021 school year.

Baker was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Education Secretary James Peyser, Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler, JFK Library Executive Director Steven Rothstein, Edward M. Kennedy Institute President Mary Grant, Media Literacy Now President Erin McNeill, Generation Citizen Massachusetts Executive Director Arielle Jennings and representatives from UTEC Lowell and the advocacy group Teens Leading the Way.

“I’m proud to see this important civics education bill signed into law,” said Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “In light of recent reports of voter suppression and the perilous state of our country’s civic and political life today, this legislation is especially critical. Civics education will help safeguard the torch of democracy for future generations and increase access to civic learning for children from historically disenfranchised communities.”

The bill mandates public schools must offer eighth-grade or high school students lessons on issues that include the state and U.S. constitutions, the Bill of Rights, local history and government, civic duties in a democratic society, digital media literacy, disenfranchisement and flag etiquette.

The voter registration challenge, tasked to Secretary of State William Galvin’s office to organize, will allow eligible students the opportunity to register or pre-register to vote. The voting age in Massachusetts is 18, but citizens can pre-register at 16 or 17 years of age.

A Civics Project Trust Fund will also be established under the new law, to help school districts conform to these requirements and finance future civics projects.

“Comprehensive civics education leads to more informed voters, better public policies, and a superior Commonwealth,” said Chandler, who sponsored the bill (S 2631).

“So much work went into this bill: from the legislators to the educators, to the administrators, the students and the advocates, we could not have made this effort a reality without your hard work and dedication,” she added.

One such organizer was Stephanie Bellapianta, who was present at the invitation-only signing last week. She and fellow advocates from Teens Leading the Way have fought for civics education reform for several years.

“This bill shows that youth can play a direct role in government,” said Bellapianta. “We know that if given an opportunity to engage in the civic process, young people will rise to the occasion and become great citizens.”