HR 139

UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 2460
1A RESOLUTION urging the Council on Postsecondary Education and the
2 Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and
3 education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students’
4 knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the United States of
5 America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of the United States.
6WHEREAS, the United States government has designated September 17 as
7 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution of
8 the United States in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787; and
9WHEREAS, the United States Congress has mandated that "each educational
10 institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program
11 on the Constitution of the United States on September 17 of such year for the students
12 served by the educational institution"; and
13WHEREAS, many students complete their secondary and postsecondary education
14 without a strong understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the
15 Constitution of the United States; and
16WHEREAS, educating students for citizenship is essential to preparing them to
17 participate as informed and active members of a constitutional republic; and
18WHEREAS, the United States was founded on the principle of government by the
19 people, as expressed in foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence,
20 the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights; and
21WHEREAS, there is growing evidence of public disillusionment regarding the
22 value of constitutional knowledge in addressing societal issues and developing effective,
23 lasting solutions. This disillusionment is often expressed by citizens who lack a solid
24 foundation in constitutional education, contributing to declining confidence in the
25 government’s ability to operate within its constitutionally limited authority; and
26WHEREAS, it is imperative that citizens in our constitutional republic have access
27 to educational resources that deepen their understanding of the Constitution of the United
  Page 1 of 3
 XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 2460
1 States, enabling them to uphold the values it contains, including life and liberty, through
2 responsible leadership in both public and private life; and
3WHEREAS, education on the structure and function of the Constitution of the
4 United States is critical to empowering citizens with the critical thinking skills envisioned
5 by the General Assembly in KRS 158.645, which calls for a system of public schools that
6 helps students develop communication skills, understand governmental processes, and
7 recognize their impact on the community, state, and nation; and
8WHEREAS, students must be encouraged to develop a foundational understanding
9 of social and cultural institutions so they can apply their knowledge of a constitutional
10 republic in practical ways, gaining a clear awareness of the rights and responsibilities of
11 individuals within such a system; and
12WHEREAS, Kentucky’s public schools, postsecondary institutions, and their
13 governing bodies bear the responsibility of providing strong and informed leadership to
14 ensure that students leave the education system equipped with the essential knowledge
15 and skills needed for responsible, constitutionally grounded citizenship;
16NOW, THEREFORE,
17 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the
18 Commonwealth of Kentucky:
19Section 1.       The House of Representatives urges the Council on Postsecondary
20 Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary
21 of State and other education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving
22 Kentucky students' knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the
23 United States of America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of
24 the United States.
25Section 2. The House of Representatives encourages the Kentucky Department
26 of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education to work with the public
27 primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions to review Kentucky students' current
  Page 2 of 3
 XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 2460
1 level of skills and knowledge relating to the Constitution of the United States and our
2 constitutional republic. The review shall include curriculum requirements, assessments of
3 student knowledge, teacher competencies required in these areas, and any other relevant
4 data and information.
5Section 3.       The House of Representatives urges each educational institution
6 within the state to go above and beyond the minimum federal requirements in dedicating
7 the entire day on September 17 to educational activities on the Constitution of the United
8 States and to incorporate constitution education throughout the year.
9Section 4.  The House of Representatives encourages the Council on
10 Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, or any education
11 institution developing educational programs on the Constitution of the United States, to
12 utilize the publicly available resources coordinated and published on the web page of the
13 United States Department of Education, as well as resources provided by other entities
14 interested in spreading knowledge of the foundational documents of the United States.
15Section 5.       The House of Representatives urges the Council on Postsecondary
16 Education and the Kentucky Department of Education to devise implementation
17 strategies, including a specific timeline to improve Kentucky students' knowledge and
18 understanding of the Constitution of the United States, democratic processes, and civic
19 engagement. In the development of these strategies, the Council on Postsecondary
20 Education and the Kentucky Department of Education are encouraged to incorporate the
21 appropriate existing state efforts to promote civic literacy.
22Section 6. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a
23 copy of this Resolution to the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, 100
24 Airport Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 and to the commissioner of education, 300
25 Sower Boulevard, Fifth Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
  Page 3 of 3
 XXXX 4/9/2026 12:35 PM  Jacketed