§ 17:274.1 — Civics and Free Enterprise; required; exceptions

Louisiana § 17:274.1

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 17: Credit Union Law

Text

§274.1. Civics and Free Enterprise; required; exceptions
A. Except as provided in Subparagraph (B)(1)(b) of this Section, all public high
schools shall give instruction in Civics and Free Enterprise as a prerequisite to graduation.
Instruction shall be given in accordance with the course of study prescribed by the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as provided in this Section. The State Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education shall prescribe suitable teaching materials for the
instruction.
B.(1)(a) For students who enter the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2011, instruction
in Civics shall be given for two semesters, equal to one unit of credit; such instruction shall
include a section on Free Enterprise.
(b) For students who enter the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, Government, AP
US Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP US Government and Politics: United
States may be substituted for Civics as required by this Section and shall satisfy the Civics
and Free Enterprise instruction as a prerequisite to graduation.
(2) Students who enter the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2011, shall be allowed to
choose from the following:
(a) Instruction in Civics for two semesters, equal to one unit of credit, which shall
include a section on Free Enterprise.
(b) Instruction in Civics and Free Enterprise in separate courses, and instruction shall
be given in each course for one semester, equal to one-half unit of credit, respectively.
C.(1) The legislature finds that the study of Free Enterprise is crucial in the
development of students as thoughtful, active citizens who understand the American
economic system, appreciate democratic values, and can function productively in society.
The legislature further finds it appropriate that the important principles of Free Enterprise be
incorporated into the Civics curriculum as essential components of the way the nation and
state operate. For the purposes of this Section,"Free Enterprise" means an economic system
characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are
determined by private decision rather than state control and by prices, production, and the
distribution of goods that are determined in a free manner. Such instruction shall emphasize
the positive values of profit and competition in a free economy and the enhancement of the
worth and dignity of the individual under such a system.
(2) Repealed by Acts 2023, No. 267, §2, eff. July 1, 2024.
D.(1) The legislature, in recognition of the national Civics Education Initiative's
efforts to ensure that every citizen can, at a minimum, demonstrate the same knowledge and
understanding of the fundamentals of the history, principles, and form of the United States
government required of naturalized citizens, hereby provides for the Louisiana Civics
Education Initiative.
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year:
(i) The curriculum for Civics, and courses permitted to substitute for Civics, shall
contain a unit of study that includes civics-related subject matter of which naturalized
citizens are required to demonstrate a knowledge.
(ii) As a means to inform civics-related curricula and instruction, each student
enrolled in Civics, or a course permitted to substitute for Civics, shall be administered a test
based upon the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services to survey his knowledge of the fundamentals of the history,
principles, and form of the United States government.
(b) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1976, No. 83, §1. Acts 1984, No. 283, §1; Acts 2010, No. 327, §1; Acts 2014, No. 566, §1; Acts 2015, No. 469, §1, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2023, No. 267, §2, eff. July 1, 2024.