Georgia § 20-2-142 - 1. Coursework in the founding philosophy and principles of the United States of America.

§ 20-2-142. 1. Coursework in the founding philosophy and principles of the United States of America.

The General Assembly finds that the survival of the Republic requires that the nation's children, who are the future guardians of its heritage and participants in its governance, have a clear understanding of the founding philosophy and the founding principles of our government, which are found in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the writings of the founders, and an understanding of the preservation of such founding philosophy, principles, and documents. This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the "America's Founding Philosophy and Principles Act." Each local board of education may require all students, as a condition of graduation, during their ninth through twelfth grade years to complete and pass a separate semester course covering the following founding philosophy and principles of the United States of America: America's founding philosophy, to include at least the following: As articulated in the Declaration of Independence the foundational idea of the Creator-endowed unalienable rights of the people; The purpose of limited government, which is to protect the unalienable rights of the people and to protect the people from violence and fraud; The structure of government, separation of powers, and checks and balances; and The rule of law, with frequent and free elections in a representative government which governs by majority vote within a constitutional framework; America's founding principles, to include at least the following: Federalism-government as close to the people as possible, limited federal government, and strong state and local government; Freedoms of speech, press, religion, and peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Bill of Rights; Rights to private property and freedom of individual enterprise; The innocence of any crime until proven guilty, with right of habeas corpus, and no unreasonable searches, seizures, or cruel and unusual punishment; A virtuous and moral people educated in the philosophy and principles of government for a free people; The right to a speedy trial by a jury of peers; The principles of economy in spending, constitutional limitations on government power to tax and spend, and prompt payment of public debt; Economic system of money with intrinsic value; Equality before the law and due process of law with grand jury indictment for capital crimes before holding a person to account; The right of people to keep and bear arms, strong defense capability, supremacy of civil authority over military; Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none; All laws concise and understandable by the people and not ex post facto laws; Eternal vigilance by "We the People"; and Founding documents including Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Federalist Papers; and Transformational movements in American history, to include at least the following: The antislavery movement; The Civil Rights movement; Women's suffrage; The contributions of immigrants to American society; and The history of the Native American population. The Department of Education and local boards of education, as appropriate, may provide, or cause to be provided, curriculum content which reflects the content standards addressed pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section and teacher training to ensure that the intent and provisions of this Code section are implemented. This Code section shall apply beginning in school year 2017-2018. (Code 1981, § 20-2-142.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2015, p. 1376, § 6A/HB 502.) Effective date. - This Code section became effective July 1, 2015.