Bill with constitutionalism requirement for schools advances

  • By Molly Dischner
  • Friday, February 27, 2015 4:59pm
  • News

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require school districts to include American constitutionalism in their coursework.

The House Education Committee moved Rep. Wes Keller’s bill Friday.

The bill would require that school districts include the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution, Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers in their curriculums. It does not require specific testing. Keller, a Republican, has called the bill a soft mandate.

During the committee hearing, Rep. Paul Seaton said he still had concerns about the requirement.

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Unalaska City School District Superintendent John Conwell said he opposed the bill, and that school districts across the state already have their plates full with existing requirements.

Other members of the public testified in support of the bill.

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