An Alabama senator is proposing one-time bonuses of $3,000 for public high school teachers who earn a new history and civics endorsement.
Senate Bill 8 by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, says teachers could do at least 50 hours of online coursework to earn the American History and Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement.
Course topics would include “the philosophical underpinnings of the American Republic and the root foundation of American exceptionalism,” the value of civic pride and participation in government, and the success of the U.S. and success or failure of other countries’ governing philosophies.
“We have established something that the world and other countries envy us because of who we are,” Allen told Alabama Daily News on Tuesday. “I think it’s important for us to be able to put together something that will help future generations to understand exactly how this country was established and put together by the founding fathers.
“… It is important for us to encourage our students to understand how blessed we are as Americans and to understand how we got here.”
According to the bill, the course would be designed by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Allen filed the same bill late in this year’s legislative session but it did not advance. It is modeled after 2021 legislation approved in Florida.
“This bill is one way to help provide balance to our K-12 experience, which is currently dominated by math and reading instruction,” Allen said. “Learning math and reading is, of course, central to a student’s education, but we also must make sure we are doing the same amount of work to ensure our students have the skills to become active citizens in our Republic.”
He also said he’ll work with the Legislature’s education budget chairs on the potential cost of the bill.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said he’s supportive of the bill.
“I have discussed this program with those familiar with it in Florida and they are very positive and supportive of its impact,” Orr, the Senate education budget committee chair.
Orr said his understanding is that the materials in Florida are balanced and accurate.
“It is worth exploring in Alabama rewarding educators who want to go the extra mile as well as have refresher courses regarding history,” he said.
The total cost would depend on teacher participation.
“We give a lot of additional incentives to STEM educators, but our history and the importance of our students learning our history is also incredibly significant.”
In 2017, Orr and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, successfully sponsored legislation requiring public high school students to pass a civics test before graduation.
Allen has previously carried other bills he hoped would increase pride in America. For multiple sessions, he’s sponsored bills requiring the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at schools. He was also the sponsor of the 2017 Memorial Preservation Act, which makes it harder for local governments to remove historical markers, including Confederate monuments.
The 2025 legislative session begins Feb. 4.