State Board of Education advances revisions to standards for civics and media literacy

GREELEY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado State Board of Education (CSBE) announced this week that it has advanced proposed revisions to the Colorado Academic Standards for civics and media literacy as recommended by a committee of educators, business leaders, and community members. 

A release from the CSBE said some proposed amendments, like a proposal to replace the committee’s recommended revisions to the social studies standards with the American Birthright Standards, were rejected by a majority of the board.

The final recommended revisions to the standards will be considered again, along with all revisions to the social studies standards, before a final vote by the board before the end of this year.

According to the CSBE, media literacy standards, required by House Bill 21-1103, are intended to ensure students can think critically about the information they see in both traditional and digital media. Senate Bill 21-067 requires the board to review portions of the social studies standards related to civics. This includes student comprehension of branches of government, how laws are enacted at the federal, state, and local levels, and the historical and modern significance of federal and state governments’ foundational documents.

The Colorado Department of Education said it anticipates the board will conclude its review of the social studies standards in November when it reviews recommendations from the History, Culture, Social Contributions and Civil Government in Education Commission created by House Bill 19-1192.