Skip to Content
Civic Literacy
Skip Navigation

Civic Literacy

Florida is committed to preparing students to become civically engaged and knowledgeable adults who make positive contributions to their communities. Florida students will graduate with sufficient knowledge of America's civics, particularly the principles reflected in the United States Constitution, so as to be capable of discharging their responsibilities as American citizens. On December 10, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis asked Commissioner Richard Corcoran to implement a new civic literacy requirement for high school students.

Resources to Foster Civic Literacy

Civic Literacy in Florida Schools

Grades K-5

Civics and Government standards include Foundations of Government, Law, and the American Political System; Civic and Political Participation; and Structure and Functions of Government.

Middle Grades

In order for a student to be promoted to high school from a school that includes middle grades 6, 7, and 8, the student must successfully complete a one-semester civics education course that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historic documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. Each student’s performance on the statewide, standardized end-of-course assessment in civics education constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.

High School

Requirements for the receipt of a standard high school diploma include one credit in United States History and one-half credit in United States Government. Students enrolled in a United States Government course are required to participate in the Florida Civic Literacy Exam, per section 1008.4282(3)(d), F.S.: Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, students taking the United States Government course are required to take the assessment of civic literacy identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.25(5). Students earning a passing score on the assessment are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment required by s. 1007.25(5). See the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) website for more information.

Postsecondary Civic Literacy

Students initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university in 2018-19 and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy. See the Postsecondary Civic Literacy page for more information. Civic literacy competencies and outcomes include:

  • An understanding of the basic principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
  • An understanding of the United States Constitution.
  • Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-governance.
  • An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on law and society.