While agreeing that a student’s “educational journey” should include Civics, an understanding of our democratic process, Governor Laura Kelly nonetheless vetoed House Bill 2412, which would have required passage of a Civics exam for high school graduation for all Kansas students.
In her veto message, the governor reasoned the state board of education, not the legislature, should have authority to determine curricula:
“I concur with legislators who believe that citizen knowledge of and involvement in our democratic process at the local, state and federal level should be emphasized throughout our children’s educational journey. That knowledge would include an understanding that, in Kansas, the Kansas Board of Education is accorded constitutional authority to determine curricula. So, while I support the concept of Civics Education, its design and implementation should be dictated by state and local boards of education.
“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2412.”
