Section 1. Title. 

This Act may be known and shall be cited as the “Strengthening Higher Education Act.” 

Section 2. Purpose. 

A. It is the intent of the General Assembly: 

• (a) That undergraduate students in state-supported institutions of higher education acquire knowledge and skills that enable the students to contribute to their state and country as informed, self-reliant, and civic-minded citizens; 

• (b) To implement a fully transferrable core curriculum for state-supported colleges and universities that ensures a general education that provides students in [insert state] with a shared knowledge of the history, ideals, and institutions of America, along with a proper introduction to logic, reasoning, and communications; 

• (c) To ensure that general education survey courses provide students with a broad understanding of a subject’s core ideas, theories, and history, fulfilling breadth requirements and fostering a well-rounded education; 

• (d) That the requisite core curriculum in this Act serve as a basis for a minimum general education core curriculum established by the [insert state higher education authority] for state-supported institutions of higher education; and 

• (e) To promote a coordinated system of higher education in [insert state] and to assure an orderly and effective development of each of the state-supported institutions of higher education. 

Section 3. Definitions. 

A. “Minimum general education core curriculum” means the minimum general education core curriculum requirements for associate and baccalaureate degree programs at state-supported institutions of higher education; 

B. “Requisite core curriculum” means the fifteen (15) semester credit hours of introductory survey courses as determined by the [insert state higher education authority]; 

C. “State-supported institution of higher education” means a public postsecondary institution or a department in a public postsecondary institution that: 

• (a) Provides: 
  • (i) An eligible program of training to prepare a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; or 
  • (ii) A program leading to an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree; and 
• (b) Is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency or association and has continuously held the accreditation for the number of years required by the [insert state higher education authority]; 

Section 4. Required Coursework 

A. Beginning with the entering class of [insert semester and year], the [insert state higher education authority], in consultation with the state-supported institutions of higher education, shall establish a minimum general education core curriculum that shall: 

• (a) Include the requisite core curriculum; and 
• (b) Apply toward the minimum requirements for associate and baccalaureate degrees at the state-supported institutions of higher education. 

B. The general education core curriculum shall be fully transferrable among all state-supported institutions of higher education. 

C. The requisite core curriculum shall include the following fifteen (15) semester credit hours of introductory survey courses: 

• (a) Two (2) three-semester credit hours of oral or written communication designed to develop the ability to organize ideas and to communicate, with clarity, precision, and syntactical maturity; 
• (b) A three-semester credit hour course that cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills; 
• (c) A three-semester credit hour course in American history; and  
• (d) A three-semester credit hour course in American government, including: 
  • (i) Instruction in the essentials of the United States Constitution; and 
  • (ii) The study of American institutions and ideals. 

D. To ensure compliance with this section, the [insert state higher education authority] may establish reporting requirements for state-supported institutions of higher education detailing implementation of the requisite core curriculum.  

E. In determining whether a course meets the general education core curriculum requirements, the [insert state higher education authority] may: 

• (a) Exempt applied science degrees; 
• (b) Grant credit hour equivalency for competency-based and proficiency-based baccalaureate degree programs; and 
• (c) Allow for substitution of advanced coursework with specified majors, with the exception that American Government and American History are required for every student. 

F. The [insert state higher education authority] may promulgate rules to implement this section.