A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the state of civic education in Pennsylvania and develop recommendations on cost-efficient, feasible steps that the C . . .ommonwealth can adopt to increase the accessibility and quality of civic education opportunities for students.
Summary
House Resolution 138 directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the state of civic education in Pennsylvania and recommend cost-efficient, feasible ways to improve access to and quality of civic education for students. The resolution is framed around concerns that civic knowledge, civic engagement, and trust in democratic institutions have declined, and it cites national and state-level reports suggesting that civics instruction and assessment in Pennsylvania are not meeting desired standards.
The study must examine the assessments currently used to satisfy Act 35 of 2018, evaluate whether those assessments adequately measure civic knowledge, skills, and action, and compare Pennsylvania with other states that are considered strong in civic education. It also must address source literacy and media literacy, identify best practices and standards already available in Pennsylvania, and make recommendations to increase student civic engagement, including voting and volunteering. The Joint State Government Commission must issue a report within 18 months of adoption, including any proposed statutory or regulatory changes, and submit it to the House and Senate Education Committee leaders.
Impact
HR138 does not itself change Pennsylvania law, but it initiates a legislative study that could lead to future statutory or regulatory reforms. Its immediate effect is to task the Joint State Government Commission with reviewing Act 35 of 2018, current civics assessments, and statewide civic education practices, while also gathering comparative information from other states and recommending improvements. The resolution could influence schools, education providers, and the Department of Education by setting the stage for possible changes to civics curriculum, assessment, and reporting requirements.
Sentiment
The resolution appears broadly supportive of strengthening civic education and is presented in a positive, reform-oriented tone. Its findings emphasize concern about declining civic knowledge and engagement, and the bill positions Pennsylvania as having an opportunity to lead nationally in civic education ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented opposition or recorded floor debate in the provided materials.
Contention
The main point of contention identified in the text is whether the current Act 35 of 2018 assessment requirement is sufficient. The resolution cites teachers who believe the existing locally developed assessment is inadequate, while the Department of Education is described as lacking authority to expand the law or collect additional assessment data. That tension suggests a policy dispute over whether Pennsylvania should rely on local assessments as currently structured or move toward stronger statewide standards, measurement, and oversight. Because no votes or transcripts are provided, no specific legislator or stakeholder opposition is documented beyond that policy disagreement.
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