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RSA 189:11 · Instruction in National and State History and Government, and Civics
189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government, and Civics. –
Copy linkIn all public and non-public schools in the state there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the history, government and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire, including the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county and state government and of the federal government. I-a. In all public, chartered public, non-public, and privately incorporated schools that serve as public schools in the state, there shall be given:
Copy linkDedicated class time for civics in each elementary grade, which can be integrated with other subjects;
Copy linkA half-year course, or the equivalent of a half-year civics course in middle school (grades 6, 7, or 8);
Copy linkA half-year course of instruction in civics in high school required for high school graduation; and
Copy linkA one-year course of instruction in history, government, and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire in high school required for high school graduation. I-b. In this section, "civics" means a nonpartisan educational program that addresses the following:
Copy linkCivic knowledge, the acquisition of knowledge of the history, heritage, civic life, and civic institutions of the United States of America and the state of New Hampshire.
Copy linkThe acquisition of skills, such as the ability to analyze text and determine the reliability and biases of sources.
Copy linkAn understanding of the ways in which civic institutions operate and how individuals may be involved in civic life.
Copy linkAn appreciation for free speech and civil discourse, using historical references, such as the federalist-antifederalist papers, the major debates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, congressional and public debates leading to the Civil War, and Civil Rights debates of the 1950s and 1960s. I-c. A school district shall develop and offer the United States and New Hampshire history, government, and constitutions course and civics courses under paragraph I-a. At a minimum, the courses shall include instruction in the following areas:
Copy linkThe Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United States.
Copy linkThe New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New Hampshire.
Copy linkThe structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments: legislative, judicial, and executive.
Copy linkThe role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity. This shall include information on the laws governing election and voting pursuant to RSA 189:23.
Copy linkThe role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to local governments.
Copy linkHow federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.
Copy linkThe role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of monetary policy.
Copy linkHow intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and discrimination have evolved in the past, and can evolve, into genocide and mass violence, such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices.
Copy link(a) As a component of instruction under this section, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the required high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire.
Copy linkTo be eligible for a graduation certificate, a student in a public, chartered public, non-public school, or a privately incorporated school that serves as a public school in the state, shall attain a locally sanctioned passing grade on the competency assessment, and shall score 70 percent or better on the 128 question civics (history and government) naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services. Public and chartered public schools shall use the assessment provided by the department of education.
Copy linkThe department of education shall provide accommodations and may modify the naturalization examination for a child with a disability in accordance with the child's individualized education program.
Copy linkAnnually, the department shall publish a report of the state and district results of the civics assessment.
Copy linkNon-public schools shall submit the results of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test to the department of education. Source. 1923, 47:2. PL 117:9. RL 135:11. RSA 189:11. 1975, 183:2. 2016, 7:1. 2017, 107:1, eff. Aug. 7, 2017. 2018, 352:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2018. 2020, 29:14, eff. Sept. 21, 2020. 2021, 157:1, eff. July 1, 2023. 2022, 116:1, eff. July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. 2023, 226:1, eff. July 1, 2023. 2024, 182:1, Sept. 10, 2024. 2025, 141:228, eff. July 1, 2025.
Copy linkSource note
Source. 1923, 47:2. PL 117:9. RL 135:11. RSA 189:11. 1975, 183:2. 2016, 7:1. 2017, 107:1, eff. Aug. 7, 2017. 2018, 352:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2018. 2020, 29:14, eff. Sept. 21, 2020. 2021, 157:1, eff. July 1, 2023. 2022, 116:1, eff. July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. 2023, 226:1, eff. July 1, 2023. 2024, 182:1, Sept. 10, 2024. 2025, 141:228, eff. July 1, 2025.
Source history
- 1923, 47:2. PL 117:9. RL 135:11. RSA 189:11
- 1975, 183:2
- 2016, 7:1
- 2017, 107:1, eff. Aug. 7, 2017
- 2018, 352:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2018
- 2020, 29:14, eff. Sept. 21, 2020
- 2021, 157:1, eff. July 1, 2023
- 2022, 116:1, eff. July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m
- 2023, 226:1, eff. July 1, 2023
- 2024, 182:1, Sept. 10, 2024
- 2025, 141:228, eff. July 1, 2025
Related materials
Bill relationships
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2026 HB112
reference · effective 2027-07-01
eans this statute would apply only to students in academic (credit-bearing) degree programs, although clarification may be needed. Students graduating from a NH high school from 2026 onwards are required under RSA 189:11, II(b) to have passed the test with the same percentage of correct answers as this bill requires. Completion of the test in high school fulfills this requirement. Compliance with this bill requires students to
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2026 HB1122
amend
ient to meet this requirement. 4 Education; School Boards, Transportation and Instruction of Pupils; Instruction in National and State History and Government, and Civics. Amend RSA 189:11, I-b(a) to read as follows: (a) Civic knowledge, the acquisition of knowledge of the history, heritage, civic life, and civic institutions of the United States of America and the state of New Hampshire, including th
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2026 HB112-FN
reference · effective 2027-07-01
only to students in academic (credit-bearing) degree programs, although clarification may be needed. Students graduating from a NH high school from 2026 onwards are required under RSA 189:11, II(b) to have passed the test with the same percentage of correct answers as this bill requires. Completion of the test in high school fulfills this requirement. Compliance with this bill requires students to “show pro
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2026 HB1132
amend · effective 2026-09-01
ited flags and banners. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Display of Flags and Banners Prohibited. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 17-b the following new section: 189:17-c Display of Flags and Banners Prohibited. All public schools and public charter schools shall be prohibited from displaying any flag or banner insi
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2026 HB1467
amend · effective 2026-07-04
ent program. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 36:1 New Section; Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 11-d the following new section: 189:11-e Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. I. A school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of
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2026 HB1467
reference · effective 2026-07-04
and for each graduating class thereafter, a school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of civic excellence and engagement, pursuant to RSA 189:11-e, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in civics education and engagement. The school board or school administrative unit board shall include on such student's transcript a desi
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2026 HB1467-FN
reference · effective 2026-07-04
and for each graduating class thereafter, a school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of civic excellence and engagement, pursuant to RSA 189:11-e, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in civics education and engagement. The school board or school administrative unit board shall include on such student's transcript a desi
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2026 HB1467-FN
amend · effective 2026-07-04
ent program. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 36:1 New Section; Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 11-d the following new section: 189:11-e Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. I. A school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of
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2026 HB1499
amend · effective 2027-01-01
(k) without naming remaining members of the household and the court may enter judgment against only the named defendants. 3 New Paragraphs; Food and Nutrition Programs. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraphs: IX. Each school board may vote to raise eligibility for free meals to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Meals served to students who meet the
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2026 HB1499-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
(k) without naming remaining members of the household and the court may enter judgment against only the named defendants. 3 New Paragraphs; Food and Nutrition Programs. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraphs: IX. Each school board may vote to raise eligibility for free meals to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Meals served to students who meet the
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2026 HB1574
amend · effective 2026-07-01
age 21, creating barriers to access and potentially compromising the well-being of these students. 2 New Paragraph; Free and Reduced Meals Expanded for Students Over 21. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph: I-a.(a) Any student who is 21 years of age, enrolled in their resident school district or a chartered public school, and who qualified for the National Sch
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2026 HB1574-FN
amend · effective 2026-07-01
age 21, creating barriers to access and potentially compromising the well-being of these students. 2 New Paragraph; Free and Reduced Meals Expanded for Students Over 21. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph: I-a.(a) Any student who is 21 years of age, enrolled in their resident school district or a chartered public school, and who qualified for the National Sch