House passes legislation for additional civics instruction in South Dakota schools

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota House has passed a bill that directs $900,000 to Gov. Kristi Noem’s plan to increase classroom instruction of the state’s history, government and economics. The legislation passed Tuesday evening would create instructional materials and classroom resources for elementary, middle and high school students. The Republican governor has talked in the past about what she says is the nation’s  “failure to educate generations of our children about what makes America unique.” Specific schools or districts may choose to take part in a pilot program to introduce the curriculum which wouldn’t be mandated.