Policy Impact Analysis - 117/S/4384

Bill Overview

Title: Civics Secures Democracy Act

Description: This bill provides resources to expand educational programs in American civics and history, including by establishing grant and fellowship programs, reauthorizing various programs, and creating the Civics Secures Democracy Fund. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states, qualified nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and qualified researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education. Next, the bill establishes a fellowship program to diversify the civics and history education workforce. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics and History Education Program. The bill revises the grant program to authorize ED to award grants to IHEs at least once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history and the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources. Further, the bill revises the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund and the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. The bill requires the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics and history to be administered every two years to certain grade levels. The bill also establishes the Civics Secures Democracy Fund, through which funds shall be made available to carry out provisions of the bill. The bill transfers certain unobligated COVID relief funds to the fund.

Sponsors: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Target Audience

Population: Global population involved in education systems focusing on civics and history, especially those in countries with ties to American education policy or programs.

Estimated Size: 100000000

• The bill targets educational programs in American civics and history, thus targeting students and educators in the U.S.
• Institutions of higher education and researchers focused on civics and history will likely be involved in these expanded programs.
• Establishing a fellowship program suggests targeting aspiring educators or professionals diversifying the field of civics and history education.
• The bill's focus on American political thought and history implies a primary focus on the U.S. education system.
• The requirement for national assessments in civics and history indicates that students within the U.S. education system are a primary target.

Reasoning

• The Civics Secures Democracy Act primarily impacts those within the U.S. educational system, particularly students and educators involved in civics and history education.
• Given the breadth of the Act, we should include a wide range of perspectives such as students, educators, researchers, and potentially those indirectly affected (e.g., parents).
• The policy's focus on grants, fellowships, and assessments suggests benefits that may unfold over a longer period, potentially increasing future educational engagement and understanding.
• Individuals not directly involved in the civics and history education sector might see varying degrees of impact, likely because of broader societal shifts in civic understanding and community engagement.
• Considering American education as a primary target and the budget constraints, the policy may especially influence low-income or marginalized communities needing access to educational resources.

Simulated Interviews

Cost Estimates

Key Considerations

• The sustainability of funding through unobligated COVID relief funds needs evaluation for long-term impacts.
• The diversification and expansion of civics education through fellowships could have profound social benefits beyond immediate fiscal outcomes.