1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; providing for a civic seal designation for high school students;
1.3 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B.
1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. [120B.112] MINNESOTA CIVIC SEAL DESIGNATION.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Establishment. (a) A Minnesota Civic Seal designation is established
1.7 for high school students who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and
1.8 engagement. The purpose of this designation is to encourage civic learning, promote active
1.9 participation in democratic institutions, and recognize students who have achieved a high
1.10 level of civic knowledge, skills, and community involvement.
1.11 (b) A student must meet the following minimum criteria to be awarded the Minnesota
1.12 Civic Seal:
1.13 (1) successfully complete coursework in civics, government, or a related subject that
1.14 meets or exceeds the state's academic standards for civic education;
1.15 (2) participate in a civics-related project-based assessment that demonstrates an
1.16 understanding of civic engagement, public policy, or government operations, and complete
1.17 a self-reflection evaluating the learning experience, impact, and personal growth gained
1.18 from the project;
1.19 (3) engage in at least one civic activity outside the classroom, such as voting in a student
1.20 election, attending a public meeting, participating in a community service project,
1.21 participating in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or engaging in a policy advocacy
1.22 initiative;
2.1 (4) demonstrate civic dispositions such as civil discourse, respect for diverse perspectives,
2.2 and a commitment to democratic principles; and
2.3 (5) meet any additional criteria established by the department, ensuring that all students,
2.4 regardless of background, have equitable access to earning the civic seal.
2.5 (c) The department-developed criteria under paragraph (b), clause (5), must be broad
2.6 enough to allow any student in any region or community of the state to earn the seal without
2.7 having to spend personal resources to access the criteria or activity. No specific out-of-school
2.8 or partisan civic program or provider shall be named or required as criteria. A school district
2.9 or individual school must not be obligated to participate in the civic seal program.
2.10 Subd. 2.Criteria development. (a) The commissioner must convene a working group
2.11 to establish specific criteria and guidelines for awarding the Minnesota Civic Seal. The
2.12 working group membership must include civic educators, professional development
2.13 providers, at least one high school student, and other civic engagement experts.
2.14 (b) The criteria and guidelines must be broad enough to allow a student from any region
2.15 or background to earn the civic seal without requiring any personal financial expenditure
2.16 or participation in a specific out-of-school program.
2.17 Subd. 3.School district or charter school participation. (a) Participation in the
2.18 Minnesota Civic Seal program is voluntary for school districts and charter schools. A school
2.19 district or charter school that opts into the program must:
2.20 (1) provide information to all secondary students regarding the opportunity to earn the
2.21 civic seal and the criteria for being awarded the recognition;
2.22 (2) maintain appropriate records to identify students who have earned the civic seal; and
2.23 (3) affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma of each student who earns the civic seal
2.24 and record the designation on their official transcript.
2.25 (b) A district or charter school must not charge a fee to a student or the student's family
2.26 for participation in earning the civic seal.
2.27 (c) A school district or charter school must submit an application for approval to the
2.28 commissioner to participate. The application must include a narrative that describes the
2.29 district or charter school's program implementation plan.
2.30 Subd. 4.Insignia and recognition. (a) The Department of Education must develop and
2.31 distribute an official insignia to be affixed to the diplomas of students who earn the Minnesota
2.32 Civic Seal.
3.1 (b) The department may also provide additional materials to schools to recognize and
3.2 celebrate students who achieve the civic seal designation.
3.3 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2026-2027 academic school year
3.4 and applies to students graduating in 2027 and later.
