American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Senators Ochoa Bogh and Allen have put forward legislation requiring the California Department of Education to develop a comprehensive one-year American government and civics curriculum guide in partnership with county education offices. The proposed guide would cover the functions of federal, state, local, and tribal governments, along with detailed instruction on voting processes, civic participation, and methods for engaging in constructive political dialogue.

The curriculum guide would detail the responsibilities of federal departments, California's government branches, local governing bodies, and special districts. It would also include instruction on direct democracy mechanisms, voter rights and registration, ballot submission methods, and techniques for participating in public meetings. The Department of Education would need to contract with either a single county office of education or a consortium of offices to create these materials, subject to approval from the State Board of Education's executive director.

The legislation also modifies criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, establishing that completion of the new one-year civics course would fulfill the requirement for demonstrating understanding of governmental structures and democratic principles. Students would still need to meet additional existing criteria to receive the seal, while school districts would retain the option to count semester-length civics courses toward the requirements. Implementation of the curriculum development provisions would occur only after specific legislative appropriation through the state budget or separate legislation.