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Minutes for SB381 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Requiring instruction to provide students with an understanding of communist and socialist regimes and ideologies and that students pass an American civics examination in order to graduate with a high school diploma.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 11, 2026
Chairman Erickson opened the hearing on SB381. Tamera Lawrence, Assistant Revisor, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, gave a brief overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)
Proponent:
Senator Brad Starnes explained that this bill would require instruction to provide students with an understanding of communist and socialist regimes and ideologies and that students pass an American civics examination in order to graduate with a high school diploma. The State School Board of Education would be required to develop age and developmentally appropriate curriculum, materials and guidelines to provide students in K-12 an understanding of communist and socialist regimes and ideologies. Also required would be all students who enrolled in ninth grade in any accredited public, private or parochial high school to pass an examination on American civics to graduate. (Attachment 2)
Erika Sheets, Chair, Moms for Liberty, Johnson County, KS Chapter, said parents stand strong in support of proper, accurate American civics education, educating Kansas students the truths about communism and socialism, and preparing them to pass an American civics exam. Listed in testimony are seven concerns about the implementation of this bill. (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4)
Joshua Reynolds, Policy Analyst, Cicero Action, reported that in a study of American civic literacy, a majority of Kansas respondents failed a multiple choice version of the U.S. citizenship test, answering fewer than 60% of questions correctly. Nationwide, only 19 percent of Americans under age 45 can pass the same test. Thirty-four percent of Americans aged 18-29 say they hold a "favorable view" of communism and 62 percent say the same of socialism.
This bill establishes a clear accountability mechanism for civic instruction by requiring the passage of an American civics examination as a prerequisite for graduation from high school. The bill also gives the state board of education a mandate to develop an age-appropriate curriculum on communist and socialist regimes and ideologies. (Attachment 5)
Kathy Brown, Private Citizen, testified this bill is essential as it speaks of patriotism. Our public schools are dominated by far-left self-described Marxists and socialists have erased the truth of the United States of America. This bill is greatly needed. (Attachment 6)
Discussion followed.
Proponent Written Only:
Nick Reinecker, Private Citizen (Attachment 7)
Trish O'Neal, Concerned Citizen (Attachment 8)
Debbie Detmer, Parent (Attachment 9)
Opponent:
Mary Sinclair, PhD, on behalf of Vikki Mullins, President, Kansas PTA, said this bill raises several concerns including conflicting with the informed governance and authority of the state and locally elected school boards and local control. Our public schools are the heart of Kansas communities, serving 90% of school age youth. Our teachers and administrators are committed to preparing all students to thrive in work and in life. Creating opportunities for every child to engage and be successful serves to strengthen the viability of a thriving Kansas future. (Attachment 10)
Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy, Kansas Association of School Boards, said this bill clearly usurps the power of the State Board and locally elected boards of education by dictating not only curricular content but also graduation requirements. The bill appears to have been drafted without consulting Kansas State Standard for High School students, which include required coursework in World History, U.S. History and American Government. (Attachment 11)
Timothy R. Graham, Director of government Relations and Legislative Affairs, Kansas National Education Association (KNEA), reported that KNEA has several resolutions addressing academic freedom, professional discretion, curriculum development and local control. Their opposition is grounded in their long-standing resolutions on academic freedom and educator-led curriculum development. This bill replaces professional judgment with statutory mandates and adds a high-stakes graduation requirement that is disconnected from classroom instruction. (Attachment 12)
Opponent Written Only:
Thomas Barker, PhD, Educator/Public School Parent (Attachment 13)
Susan Willis, Government Liaison, Wichita Public Schools USD 259 (Attachment 14)
Cathy Hopkins and Beryl New, Legislative Liaisons, Kansas State Board of Education (Attachment 15)
Discussion followed.
Chairman Erickson closed the hearing on SB381.
