1776 Commission (E.O. 13958)

Summary

Creates a group to help young people learn about and appreciate the history and ideas behind the founding of the United States in 1776.

What problem does this solve?

Some believe that schools are teaching a negative and incorrect version of American history that makes students dislike their country. This order creates a commission to encourage a more positive and 'patriotic' teaching of the nation's founding principles.

What does this order do?

Establishes the President's Advisory 1776 Commission

Creates a new commission within the Department of Education to promote understanding of the history and principles of the U.S. founding.

Prioritizes federal resources for patriotic education

Directs the Departments of Education, Defense, and State to prioritize federal funds and programs that promote education about the American founding.

Defines the commission's responsibilities

Tasks the commission with producing a report on founding principles, advising on the 250th anniversary celebration, and promoting patriotic education at national sites.

Rejects a national curriculum

States that the federal government's role is to protect local control over curriculum and rejects efforts like the Common Core to impose national standards.

Enforces Constitution Day programs

Requires federal agencies to monitor compliance with the law that educational institutions receiving federal funds must hold a program on the Constitution each year.

Who does this affect?

Students
Educators and school administrators
Federal agencies

What is the real world impact?

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Politicizes the teaching of history

Critics might argue this order imposes a specific political ideology on history education, discouraging critical analysis of the nation's past by labeling other views as unpatriotic.

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Promotes a specific view of American history

Aims to counter recent historical accounts that it calls divisive and inaccurate. It promotes a 'patriotic education' focused on the principles of the nation's founding in 1776.

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Could influence federal funding for education

Advises agencies to prioritize the American founding in Federal grants. This could steer funding towards educational programs that align with the commission's 'patriotic' view of history.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately and sets deadlines for specific actions, such as establishing the commission.

Establishment of the 1776 Commission

The Secretary of Education must establish the President's Advisory 1776 Commission within 120 days of the order (by March 2, 2021).

Commission report to the President

The 1776 Commission must produce a public report on the core principles of the American founding within one year of the order (by November 2, 2021).

Termination of the commission

The 1776 Commission will terminate two years from the date of the order (November 2, 2022), unless the President extends it.