Expanded history lessons sought for Georgia high schoolers

History lessons would get a little longer for Georgia school students as part of a bill passed Monday by the state Senate.

Senate Bill 384, sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, known as the "America's Founding Philosophy and Principle Act," would require students be taught about the country's founding principles and philosophy found in documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and "The Federalist Papers." The lessons would be taught in grades nine through 12.

The Senate also adopted an amendment by Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, that would require students also be taught about other “transformational movements” in American history, including the anti-slavery, civil rights and women’s suffrage movements. Contributions made by immigrants and the challenges and history of the Native American population were also added under Fort’s amendment.