AI-generated summary, reviewed by Better Utah staff.

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, this bill significantly expands what Utah public school students must be taught in social studies by requiring instruction on "American Exceptionalism" (defined in the bill as the United States' unique founding principles, free market capitalism, and global promotion of human rights), comparative analysis of communist governments and their historical atrocities, the Bible as a literary and historical text, the Electoral College, parliamentary procedure, and the roles of government officials at all levels. It also directs the State Board of Education to develop free, openly licensed K-12 social studies and civics curriculum materials aligned to these new standards, and beginning in the 2028-2029 school year requires that statewide English language arts tests include reading passages drawn from founding documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers. Additionally, the bill shifts authority over fine arts credit decisions to local school districts, allowing them to decide whether applied crafts and technical arts courses — such as woodworking, welding, or digital design — count toward students' fine arts graduation requirements.