National group backs NC REACH Act

RALEIGH — A national group focused on academic freedom and excellence is backing a North Carolina House bill that would increase courses in American history and government.

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) issued a formal letter to the chairs of the North Carolina House Committee on Higher Education in the NC REACH Act (House Bill 7). The letter was authored by Nick Down, ACTA’s associate director of external affairs.

ACTA describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities.”

“One of ACTA’s initiatives that we are most passionate about is reversing the alarming decline in civic knowledge among the college students who will be our next generation of leaders,” Down wrote. “That is why I am here in support of House Bill 7.”

Down also praised the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ actions in 2024 to pass the “Foundations of American Democracy” course requirement but noted that the bill’s proposals are “more rigorous and would ensure that students graduate with the requisite knowledge to be informed citizens.”

“The proposed legislation is nonpartisan and insists upon quite reasonable, but nonetheless very important, standards for civic education in the State of North Carolina,” wrote Down, adding that South Carolina has already passed similar legislation.

“With House Bill 7, the North Carolina legislature has an opportunity to provide the next generation of leaders with knowledge and tools for fruitful participation in American civic life,” wrote Down. “We believe this legislation, once passed, would put North Carolina in the vanguard of states that have committed themselves to preparing college students to be well-informed, engaged citizens of this state and the nation.”

The NC Reach Act made it through the crossover deadline, in which certain bills must be passed by their originating chamber to be considered for enactment.

The bill would require students pursuing baccalaureate degrees at UNC System institutions or associate degrees at North Carolina community colleges to complete three credit hours in American history or American government.

The course must include reading specific historical documents in full, including the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, selected Federalist Papers, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Gettysburg Address and the North Carolina State Constitution.

Under the bill, students would have to pass a cumulative final exam worth at least 20% of their grade focusing on the course documents. Exemptions would be available for students who have completed equivalent coursework through AP, IB, AICE or dual-enrollment programs.

The bill also includes provisions allowing the removal of institution leaders who fail to comply over multiple academic years.

If the bill becomes law, it will take effect for students enrolling in the 2026-27 academic year.

This piece was originally published by the North State Journal on May 22, 2025.