Robust civics classes back in education & money/grifting opportunities out of our politics would go far toward the development of a more perfect Union.
Agree 100%. I was fortunate to grow up during a time period where American History, Civics and Social Studies classes were part of the core curriculum in junior high and high school. To this day, I'm thankful for those classes and scratch my head when/why it was decided that they were no longer necessary.
There's been a concerted effort to revive a more inclusive and robust education in US civics. Here's a link to a set of recommendations known as "The Roadmap" that was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities:
A new means of civic education would be needed to hold the attention of today's students. As a start we should not permit use of smart phones for beginning grades.
You have been reading my mind! We had Civics classes in 7th or 8th grade. It was a whole year, not just to pass the IL Constitution test. I wholeheartedly agree with you that if we had a good basis in civics we would have more participation in government, voting, & community involvement. I don't know how we will save this democracy without a knowledgeable citizenry. People I talk to now who are adults, intelligent, and educated, are surprised when I say that I am afraid for this country. Many of them ask "What election?"
Reintroducing Civics classes would probably be a nightmare given the discord today, but any attempt, however small, would be worth it.
I started teaching (K-8) in 1994. History (state and national) were part of the curriculum. The advent of No Child Left Behind pretty much pushed out history and science at the elementary level, leaving a focus on math and English. Testing jumped from grades 3,5,8,and 11 to every year.
Not only did that force school districts to spend a fortune on the increased tests, but those tests also displaced teaching for a week or more. The tests were also used punitively against the district, school and teachers. I was at a Title I school, where half our students couldn’t recognize letters or numbers and a fourth spoke only Spanish when they started kindergarten. So they started way behind students in middle class neighborhoods. We had excellent teachers, but without any support from home catching them up takes years.
As school librarian, I was tasked with teaching the Constitution to all the students in the school for Constitution Day. I got 30 minutes for each class. For K-1 I showed a Peanuts video about writing the Constitution. In 3-4 we discussed the three branches and their functions. For 4-5 I read each of the amendments forming the Bill of Rights and we discussed them. The third got the biggest reaction, and I had to explain about how the British occupied private homes during the occupation of several cities during the Revolution. So in six years of elementary school, they got 3 hours of civics education. I tried.
I had a pretty decent government and civics education. We also were tested on the Constitution, Bill Of Rights, and the three branches of government, what they did and their relationship to each other. I don't have kids and I was shocked when I found out how little government and civics classes were taught or even taught at all.
I remember going to DC in 1964, took a tour and we were in the gallery in the Senate Chambers and luckily they were in session. I was 19 at the time and just so excited. I saw Ted Kennedy, Sam Ervin and Barry Goldwater on the floor. I was so impressed. I was still wearing my "rose colored glasses" or have things really changed as much as I think they have? My government classes, I think, allowed me to appreciate where I was and the importance of what went on there. My classes also made me even more interested in our government's history, world history, how we got into the wars, and our connections to the world we live it. People need that knowledge, again IMHO.
We MUST fund PUBLIC schools. Open the inner city schools that have been closed. Public education levels the playing field for everyone and these core civics classes must be in the curriculum. We have seen the results of low education.
I'm not sure we could return to a more civil society by restoring some of the civics and citizenship focus in public schools - especially given how the far right is dismantling public education in so many places like my state of Texas. But, I definitely agree with your assessment that we have lost much by excluding these lessons for so long.
Social studies/civics, whatever you want to call it was my favorite class in school and I got my BA in political science. I agree that civics should be a central part of basic education, but I think it should be taught in a way that invites students to develop their own opinions about our government. I don't think I was fed an overly idealized version of our government, but the constitution was still treated as something infallible and/or a priori good.
I hardly had any professors who you could easily tell which way they leaned politically. Hell, I'm pretty sure many of professors were conservative, especially in anything related to international relations. But I learned more about government and politics and that gave me the information I needed to develop my own opinions. I think the Senate is an affront to democracy and more often than not has prevented anything of substance getting done in this country. I think it's ridiculous that states are allowed to have wildly different voting laws. My opinions were not transmitted directly from another person, they are the result of my own reasoning.
I also think some degree of practical knowledge of how politics work should be mandatory. I'm not talking ideology, but just explaining how political parties work in this country and "how the sausage is made." Topics that could easily be applied to both parties.
But in the end it doesn't matter. The average American is quite ignorant of how government works in practice. It's not their fault. I know I'm a weirdo who is into this stuff, but I think any sense of agency is beaten out of the average person. Every four years (lol midterms), they vote and little of substance factually changes in their day to day lives. Any political "analysis" you see on mainstream TV is so shallow that if it were a pool, you wouldn't be able to drown a rat in it. I think in the end, the people with political and economic power like it that way. Maybe not you personally, as opposed as I am to most of your policy preferences, I respect you more than most of the GOP who seem to be in a contest of who can be most reactionary and cruel.
The system is now rigged toward chaos so the status quo remains to the benefit of those monetarily feeding the beast. Yes the point most definitely still is to keep the status quo and double down. It’s about power and money. Even the culture wars and indoctrination of lawyers to take over the courts has been a conscious design. Thank you Leonard Leo. This originalist dogma is an intentional re-eduction scheme. As Adam said with so many having so little knowledge of the documents and even less of the Age of Enlightenment they are intent on rewriting history. It’s happening right here in Florida. And it’s mandatory civics. The teachers were appalled by what they are now required to teach. We have lost so many teachers the state has a major shortage.
Knowledge is Power and the only way to fulfill the dream of our nations founders.
I vividly recall 4th grade civics. Once i learned it, I never forgot it because it was information important to understanding how my world worked and how other countries were different. Separation of powers. Checks and balances. Three branches of government. Now even at least one US senator is ignorant of this (I won‘t call him out but his initials are Tommy Tuberville).
Certainly I didn‘t get a deep dive into politics and the constitution until I was a junior in college. But without this foundation I would have had a much harder time before and after that understanding what I was reading about current events and why the government was doing what it did.
I would think any parent wanting their child to be able to understand the world they live in and to navigate it successfully would want more childhood education about how our country works, not less. Those promoting ignorance can only be motivated by fear that their view might be challenged. And only through rigorous and honest public discourse can we make thoughtful well reasoned decisions about our future. It‘s important to remember this the next time someone tries to argue that history is unnecessary or uncomfortable or that a current events topic offensive. Without the ability to ponder, analyze, and ultimately come to a conclusion about any issue we are at risk of implementing thoughtless and harmful policies.
Certainly a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Give kids a chance to do the deep dive on topics that interest or intrigue them. Ask them thoughtful questions. Require that they give thoughtful responses not „right“ ones, and not those that parrot somebody else unless they can explain why they agree with or adopt that position.
As the great John Mellenkamp said: „If you don‘t stand for something, you‘ll fall for anything“.
I so agree with this! And I recall John Cornyn and Chris Coons reintroduced a bipartisan bill to invest
$! billion to expand civic and history education across K-12 and at higher education institutions. It was called the "Civics Secures Democracy Act". It was reintroduced by Senators King and Lankford this past September. Perhaps one action this group could take would be to find out where the Bill is now and call to urge our Senators to get on board and pass it.
As this old boomer has argued for 30 years, we have raised multiple generations (anyone younger than 50) without a grounding in civic responsibility, rights and the sources of that liberty. I know younger folk love to bash us ok boomers but I don’t need Wiki to tell me what the Constitution means and days or what the Founding generation said about our nation’s principles -
Can we sub one useless 40 minute course for civics? Sure we can if we want to
Civics should be absolutely mandatory in our education! How can you even know who you are if you don't understand the history of your country, it's hard fought battles for freedom, and the documents which serve as the basis for the lives we have the freedom to live? And how do you learn that with freedom comes incredible responsibilities to help, serve and protect other people and their rights? I will go farther. Since we have no military draft, in order for young people to begin to understand and have pride in their country and the responsibilities of freedom, we should have a minimum of a one year mandatory service corps where students after high school go out and work on civic projects that benefit others. I will never forget when I was a foreign exchange student in Holland with the encouragement of the Dutch family I was living with, I went on the Vier Dagse walk/hike, around the city of Nymegen. People from all over the world, including military units, participated and spent time talking to each other as they walked or marched 25 km each day. What really struck me was an all female unit of Israeli Army women dressed in full combat uniform marching with their rifles. I thought, "wow here is a country that believes women are equal to men and are not only allowed, but encouraged to fight to defend their country." It took the US quite a long time to get there, and it appears to me we may still not be fully there.
It was covered thoroughly when I was a kid in school. Catholic school in the 50's and 60's made sure to cover these topics. My kids it was covered in less detail, and my grandson barely seems to have covered it.
It's a little terrifying to read this and learn that my 11 and 14-year old could probably have a healthier discussion about the Constitution than most adults. I had a very comprehensive Civics class in WI in 10th grade in the late 80s and, thanks to the joke that is the current state of affairs in Washington, I am making sure my kids understand how our system of governance is SUPPOSED to work -- it's just hard to use modern examples of the process functioning like it should. I'm a lifelong conservative who finds herself saying things like "back when Republicans were actually Republicans."
I recently retired after 40 years in K-12 education. I taught World History, US History, American Government and Economics to high school students and supervised middle schools that teach World Geography, Civics and US History. I have always advocated for a greater emphasis on these subjects. However, in the last few years, schools have been loaded down with new mandates. When you keep adding requirements, something receives less attention. However, the biggest challenge to improving American’s knowledge and understanding of civics and our own unique history and traditions, occurs when those elected to lead us do not exemplify the very foundations of civics in their political lives and actions. It’s the old adage of “Do what I say, not what I do.” Children and young people, those that will comprise our future leaders, are watching what is occurring every day in local, state and national governments. They clearly see their elected leaders undermining our government. Yes, we should enmesh our children in civics and our history but they would be better served by leaders that live and act following these ideals so critical to our democratic republic. Future leaders need to witness in their government what we want them to do in the future.
Robust civics classes back in education & money/grifting opportunities out of our politics would go far toward the development of a more perfect Union.
Agree 100%. I was fortunate to grow up during a time period where American History, Civics and Social Studies classes were part of the core curriculum in junior high and high school. To this day, I'm thankful for those classes and scratch my head when/why it was decided that they were no longer necessary.
There's been a concerted effort to revive a more inclusive and robust education in US civics. Here's a link to a set of recommendations known as "The Roadmap" that was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities:
https://www.educatingforamericandemocracy.org/
A new means of civic education would be needed to hold the attention of today's students. As a start we should not permit use of smart phones for beginning grades.
You have been reading my mind! We had Civics classes in 7th or 8th grade. It was a whole year, not just to pass the IL Constitution test. I wholeheartedly agree with you that if we had a good basis in civics we would have more participation in government, voting, & community involvement. I don't know how we will save this democracy without a knowledgeable citizenry. People I talk to now who are adults, intelligent, and educated, are surprised when I say that I am afraid for this country. Many of them ask "What election?"
Reintroducing Civics classes would probably be a nightmare given the discord today, but any attempt, however small, would be worth it.
I started teaching (K-8) in 1994. History (state and national) were part of the curriculum. The advent of No Child Left Behind pretty much pushed out history and science at the elementary level, leaving a focus on math and English. Testing jumped from grades 3,5,8,and 11 to every year.
Not only did that force school districts to spend a fortune on the increased tests, but those tests also displaced teaching for a week or more. The tests were also used punitively against the district, school and teachers. I was at a Title I school, where half our students couldn’t recognize letters or numbers and a fourth spoke only Spanish when they started kindergarten. So they started way behind students in middle class neighborhoods. We had excellent teachers, but without any support from home catching them up takes years.
As school librarian, I was tasked with teaching the Constitution to all the students in the school for Constitution Day. I got 30 minutes for each class. For K-1 I showed a Peanuts video about writing the Constitution. In 3-4 we discussed the three branches and their functions. For 4-5 I read each of the amendments forming the Bill of Rights and we discussed them. The third got the biggest reaction, and I had to explain about how the British occupied private homes during the occupation of several cities during the Revolution. So in six years of elementary school, they got 3 hours of civics education. I tried.
I had a pretty decent government and civics education. We also were tested on the Constitution, Bill Of Rights, and the three branches of government, what they did and their relationship to each other. I don't have kids and I was shocked when I found out how little government and civics classes were taught or even taught at all.
I remember going to DC in 1964, took a tour and we were in the gallery in the Senate Chambers and luckily they were in session. I was 19 at the time and just so excited. I saw Ted Kennedy, Sam Ervin and Barry Goldwater on the floor. I was so impressed. I was still wearing my "rose colored glasses" or have things really changed as much as I think they have? My government classes, I think, allowed me to appreciate where I was and the importance of what went on there. My classes also made me even more interested in our government's history, world history, how we got into the wars, and our connections to the world we live it. People need that knowledge, again IMHO.
We MUST fund PUBLIC schools. Open the inner city schools that have been closed. Public education levels the playing field for everyone and these core civics classes must be in the curriculum. We have seen the results of low education.
I'm not sure we could return to a more civil society by restoring some of the civics and citizenship focus in public schools - especially given how the far right is dismantling public education in so many places like my state of Texas. But, I definitely agree with your assessment that we have lost much by excluding these lessons for so long.
Social studies/civics, whatever you want to call it was my favorite class in school and I got my BA in political science. I agree that civics should be a central part of basic education, but I think it should be taught in a way that invites students to develop their own opinions about our government. I don't think I was fed an overly idealized version of our government, but the constitution was still treated as something infallible and/or a priori good.
I hardly had any professors who you could easily tell which way they leaned politically. Hell, I'm pretty sure many of professors were conservative, especially in anything related to international relations. But I learned more about government and politics and that gave me the information I needed to develop my own opinions. I think the Senate is an affront to democracy and more often than not has prevented anything of substance getting done in this country. I think it's ridiculous that states are allowed to have wildly different voting laws. My opinions were not transmitted directly from another person, they are the result of my own reasoning.
I also think some degree of practical knowledge of how politics work should be mandatory. I'm not talking ideology, but just explaining how political parties work in this country and "how the sausage is made." Topics that could easily be applied to both parties.
But in the end it doesn't matter. The average American is quite ignorant of how government works in practice. It's not their fault. I know I'm a weirdo who is into this stuff, but I think any sense of agency is beaten out of the average person. Every four years (lol midterms), they vote and little of substance factually changes in their day to day lives. Any political "analysis" you see on mainstream TV is so shallow that if it were a pool, you wouldn't be able to drown a rat in it. I think in the end, the people with political and economic power like it that way. Maybe not you personally, as opposed as I am to most of your policy preferences, I respect you more than most of the GOP who seem to be in a contest of who can be most reactionary and cruel.
The system is now rigged toward chaos so the status quo remains to the benefit of those monetarily feeding the beast. Yes the point most definitely still is to keep the status quo and double down. It’s about power and money. Even the culture wars and indoctrination of lawyers to take over the courts has been a conscious design. Thank you Leonard Leo. This originalist dogma is an intentional re-eduction scheme. As Adam said with so many having so little knowledge of the documents and even less of the Age of Enlightenment they are intent on rewriting history. It’s happening right here in Florida. And it’s mandatory civics. The teachers were appalled by what they are now required to teach. We have lost so many teachers the state has a major shortage.
Knowledge is Power and the only way to fulfill the dream of our nations founders.
I vividly recall 4th grade civics. Once i learned it, I never forgot it because it was information important to understanding how my world worked and how other countries were different. Separation of powers. Checks and balances. Three branches of government. Now even at least one US senator is ignorant of this (I won‘t call him out but his initials are Tommy Tuberville).
Certainly I didn‘t get a deep dive into politics and the constitution until I was a junior in college. But without this foundation I would have had a much harder time before and after that understanding what I was reading about current events and why the government was doing what it did.
I would think any parent wanting their child to be able to understand the world they live in and to navigate it successfully would want more childhood education about how our country works, not less. Those promoting ignorance can only be motivated by fear that their view might be challenged. And only through rigorous and honest public discourse can we make thoughtful well reasoned decisions about our future. It‘s important to remember this the next time someone tries to argue that history is unnecessary or uncomfortable or that a current events topic offensive. Without the ability to ponder, analyze, and ultimately come to a conclusion about any issue we are at risk of implementing thoughtless and harmful policies.
Certainly a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Give kids a chance to do the deep dive on topics that interest or intrigue them. Ask them thoughtful questions. Require that they give thoughtful responses not „right“ ones, and not those that parrot somebody else unless they can explain why they agree with or adopt that position.
As the great John Mellenkamp said: „If you don‘t stand for something, you‘ll fall for anything“.
I so agree with this! And I recall John Cornyn and Chris Coons reintroduced a bipartisan bill to invest
$! billion to expand civic and history education across K-12 and at higher education institutions. It was called the "Civics Secures Democracy Act". It was reintroduced by Senators King and Lankford this past September. Perhaps one action this group could take would be to find out where the Bill is now and call to urge our Senators to get on board and pass it.
As this old boomer has argued for 30 years, we have raised multiple generations (anyone younger than 50) without a grounding in civic responsibility, rights and the sources of that liberty. I know younger folk love to bash us ok boomers but I don’t need Wiki to tell me what the Constitution means and days or what the Founding generation said about our nation’s principles -
Can we sub one useless 40 minute course for civics? Sure we can if we want to
Civics should be absolutely mandatory in our education! How can you even know who you are if you don't understand the history of your country, it's hard fought battles for freedom, and the documents which serve as the basis for the lives we have the freedom to live? And how do you learn that with freedom comes incredible responsibilities to help, serve and protect other people and their rights? I will go farther. Since we have no military draft, in order for young people to begin to understand and have pride in their country and the responsibilities of freedom, we should have a minimum of a one year mandatory service corps where students after high school go out and work on civic projects that benefit others. I will never forget when I was a foreign exchange student in Holland with the encouragement of the Dutch family I was living with, I went on the Vier Dagse walk/hike, around the city of Nymegen. People from all over the world, including military units, participated and spent time talking to each other as they walked or marched 25 km each day. What really struck me was an all female unit of Israeli Army women dressed in full combat uniform marching with their rifles. I thought, "wow here is a country that believes women are equal to men and are not only allowed, but encouraged to fight to defend their country." It took the US quite a long time to get there, and it appears to me we may still not be fully there.
It was covered thoroughly when I was a kid in school. Catholic school in the 50's and 60's made sure to cover these topics. My kids it was covered in less detail, and my grandson barely seems to have covered it.
It's a little terrifying to read this and learn that my 11 and 14-year old could probably have a healthier discussion about the Constitution than most adults. I had a very comprehensive Civics class in WI in 10th grade in the late 80s and, thanks to the joke that is the current state of affairs in Washington, I am making sure my kids understand how our system of governance is SUPPOSED to work -- it's just hard to use modern examples of the process functioning like it should. I'm a lifelong conservative who finds herself saying things like "back when Republicans were actually Republicans."
I recently retired after 40 years in K-12 education. I taught World History, US History, American Government and Economics to high school students and supervised middle schools that teach World Geography, Civics and US History. I have always advocated for a greater emphasis on these subjects. However, in the last few years, schools have been loaded down with new mandates. When you keep adding requirements, something receives less attention. However, the biggest challenge to improving American’s knowledge and understanding of civics and our own unique history and traditions, occurs when those elected to lead us do not exemplify the very foundations of civics in their political lives and actions. It’s the old adage of “Do what I say, not what I do.” Children and young people, those that will comprise our future leaders, are watching what is occurring every day in local, state and national governments. They clearly see their elected leaders undermining our government. Yes, we should enmesh our children in civics and our history but they would be better served by leaders that live and act following these ideals so critical to our democratic republic. Future leaders need to witness in their government what we want them to do in the future.