IdahoIdaho schools teach specified civics and history topics
Idaho public schools teach specified civics and history topics, and adopted materials must meet stated standards under a law effective July 1, 2026.
What it does
Public schools teach civic principles and key historical documents. History and government courses cover the American founding, totalitarian governments, and state and national government.
Adopted materials for history, government, civics, and social studies must be accurate, rigorous, and aligned with state standards. They must use or encourage engagement with original sources and support the stated civic and historical aims.
Secondary pupils show they meet state civics standards by passing a civics test and completing government and history coursework, or an associated college course or exam.
Charter schools may ask the state board to waive some history and civics requirements based on their stated mission. Teacher training funding depends on money set aside by the state.
Argument forStudents could study key civic ideas and historical documents across history, government, and English classes.
Argument againstSchools may have less choice in history and civics materials because adopted materials must meet statewide standards, including stated civic aims.
More detail
Public schools teach specified civics principles and historical topics. All secondary pupils receive instruction in civic principles and key historical documents. Grades 9 through 12 complete two credits each in American history and American government, with a strong civics focus. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
School districts and public charter schools ensure adopted materials meet stated requirements. The requirements cover materials adopted for history, American government and civics, and social studies. Schools may use supplementary materials if those materials meet the same requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Secondary pupils show they meet state civics and government standards by passing a civics test and completing specified coursework or an associated college course or exam. This requirement applies to Idaho secondary pupils, and the school records a passing test on the pupil's transcript. Pupils may retake the test as often as needed to pass. Their individualized education plans govern how the requirement applies if they receive special education services. The text shows conflicting school-year wording for when this requirement begins, so its start year is unclear.
Public charter schools may request an exemption from specified instruction requirements, and the state education department makes teacher training funding available subject to state funds. The exemption request concerns the requirements in section 33-1602(2)(c) and (4) through (7). Funding supports professional development for advanced high school civics or government, Western civilization, or U.S. history courses. A charter school's request must be based on its unique mission in its performance certificate; the text does not guarantee an exemption. Teacher training funding is subject to state-appropriated funds. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 317 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 58 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 12, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2Reported delivered to Governor at 6:06 p.m. on 04/02/26To Governor
- Apr 2Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Apr 2Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Apr 2Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Apr 2Rules Suspended: Ayes 58 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 12, read in full as required – PASSED - 54-12-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon(Cannon), Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill(Hill), Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts(Batt), Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Dygert, Egbert(Beazer), Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Haws, Mathias, Nelsen, RubelAbsent – Manwaring, Marmon, Weber, WheelerFloor Sponsor - EhardtTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 2Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Read First Time, Referred to EducationMinor
- Apr 1Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Apr 1Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 28-6-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, WintrowAbsent and excused – ForemanFloor Sponsor - AnthonTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 31Read second time as amended, filed for Third readingMinor
- Mar 30Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading
- Mar 30Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
- Mar 30Amendments reported printed
- Mar 30Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
- Mar 30Reported out without recommendation, as amended
- Mar 30Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 20Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 25Reported Printed; referred to Education
- Feb 24Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 317 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
Education