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The (Section 3345.382) requires state institutions of higher education to develop an American civic literacy course of at least three credit hours.  The course may be offered under the College Credit Plus program and can be part of the institution’s general education program.  Beginning with the Spring semester of 2029-2030 academic year, students must complete the course in order to receive a bachelor’s degree from any state institution.  The AOHEA states that the president or the president’s designee may exempt a student from the requirement if the student has completed a CCP course satisfying the requirements, an AP satisfying the requirements, or at least three credit hours in American government or American history. 

Students in the American civics course must be required to read: 

(1) The entire Constitution of the United States;  

(2) The entire Declaration of Independence;  

(3) A minimum of five essays in their entirety from the Federalist Papers (essays selected by the department chair.  

(4) The entire Emancipation Proclamation;  

(5) The entire Gettysburg Address;  

(6) The entire Letter from Birmingham Jail written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr;

(7) The writings of Adam Smith, including the principles written in The Wealth of Nations.

Students must also pass a cumulative final exam at the end of the course that assesses proficiency with the required documents. 

The AOHEA also requires that the Board of Trustees for each institution must adopt for a resolution approving a plan to offer the American civics course described in the law.  The plan must submitted, reviewed and approved by the chancellor; the chancellor may require revisions.   

Working Group Charge

To meet the requirements of the AOHEA, the work group is asked to:  

• Thoroughly review related details/requirements of AOHEA to ensure common understanding. 
• Assist in developing a plan for offering a course which satisfies the American civic literacy course requirement, is consistent with both the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Transfer 36 module and OHIO’s Bricks general education program and can be reviewed by the Board at the June meeting.   
• Assist in modifying the plan if required by the chancellor.
• Assist with developing recommendations for exemptions to the civics course requirement.
• Develop recommendations for a group to meet in in the Fall of 2025 to develop or modify the course and secure all required curricular approvals. 

Working Group Expectations  

Working group members will meet virtually weekly (unless otherwise noted) beginning the week of April 21 through -August 2025.  Members may be asked to serve in smaller subgroups.  

Working Group Goal  

The goal is to complete the task force charge and prepare a written summary report.  The deadline for the report is August 16, 2025.  However, the plan for offering the course must be completed by May 15, 2025, so that it can be reviewed in advance and submitted for the June Board of Trustees meeting.