House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Changes the act’s long title. 

Amends GS 116-11.5 (applicable to the UNC system) and GS 115D-10 (applicable to state community colleges) to require that each institution in these systems require as a condition of graduation for all students to complete at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government that provides a comprehensive overview of the major events and turning points of American history and government (was, required three credit hours of instruction in American government). Adds the Gettysburg Address to the list of required course documents. In addition to requirement that exam comprise 20% of the student’s total course grade, now requires the final exam to focus substantially on the principles of the required documents, the perspectives of the authors, and the relevant historic contexts at the time. Adds a passing score on the AS-Level or A-Level Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education course to list of tests that would permit the chancellor (UNC system) or president of a community college or designee to exempt students from the course requirement. Makes exempting students from the course requirement when they have completed the specified courses or passed the relevant exams discretionary instead of mandatory. Requires the Board of Governors of the UNC system (Board) or the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC), as applicable, to ensure that the requirements of this section are incorporated into the degree requirements of all baccalaureate programs and do not do any of the following: (1) add to the total number of credit hours required for a degree; (2) conflict with the accreditation process for any constituent institution (was, the Board/SBCC and the Board of Trustees for each constituent institution, as applicable, and only had to make sure that the new course did not add to the total number of credit hours required for a degree). Allows for the removal of a chancellor or president for failure to comply with these requirements over more than one academic year (was, for failure to comply with no time frame). Makes technical and organizational changes.  

Makes conforming changes to GS 116-11 (UNC system) and GS 115D-5 (state community colleges) to include reference to American history in required Board/SBCC policy. Amends GS 116-11 (pertaining to power of Board) to include reference to GS 116-11(15).

Amends GS 115C-81.45(d) (pertaining to civic literacy requirement in State secondary schools) to specify that a passing grade in an advanced course or dual enrollment course satisfies the Founding Principles of the US and NC course requirement, if, in addition to meeting existing civic literacy course requirements, the course also requires the students to read the entirety of the same six documents required for higher education by the REACH Act. Applies to courses offered beginning with the 2023-24 school year. 

Makes technical and reorganizational changes.