research paper
Thesis
Despite the fact that some believe mathematics,science and english educations are far more important, civics education helps encourage people to stand up for their beliefs, participate in politics, and become better critical thinkers. History and civics education needs to be a priority in schools in order to increase the participation in the American democratic process and to create more informed and involved citizens who will work to make the United States a better country.
Civics Education
Background of Civics Education and Activity
1960s
Despite the fact that some believe mathematics,science and english educations are far more important, civics education helps encourage people to stand up for their beliefs, participate in politics, and become better critical thinkers. History and civics education needs to be a priority in schools in order to increase the participation in the American democratic process and to create more informed and involved citizens who will work to make the United States a better country.
Civics Education
- the education of the rights and duties of citizenship
- includes teaching the rights of every citizen, current political events, how and when to vote in elections, class debates on political issues, how to write a letter to congress, how to take part in a town meeting and more
Background of Civics Education and Activity
1960s
- Russia putting a satellite, Sputnik, in space made the U.S.A worry about where they stood in the race to space. Going forward mathematics and science education were prioritized, and civics education was not.
- National Defense Education Act and Education Professions Development Act passed. Intended to improve education in a variety of supports, but support didn't quite reach civics education.
- President George W. Bush passes the No Child Left Behind Act. This created testing requirements for mathematics, science, and english, but not on civics.
Effects of the No Child Left Behind Act
2004
2004
- 2/3 of elementary school teachers said they spent less time on history and civics after 2002
- 88% of elementary school teachers said history was a low priority to them
- Some elementary schools entirely eliminated history education
- No public high school required a civics class to graduate
- Only 60.4 eligible voters voted in the presidential election
2008
- Only 62.3% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election
2011
- 2/3 of American 8th graders could not name the purpose of the Declaration of Independence
- 4/5 of American 12th graders could not name the value of citizen participation in a democracy
2012
- Only 57.5% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election
2016
- Only 57.9% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election
- 13 states require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate high school
Why Civics Education is Important
- Student who receive civics education are more likely to...
- be better critical thinkers
- develop creative problem solving skills
- work well with those who have opinions that differ from theirs
- not have prejudice views
- treat those who are different who dignity and respect
- be more aware of current events
- meet with their representatives to address the issues they care about
- hold politicians accountable for the things they say
- take part in a town meeting
- write a letter to congress
- have better knowledge on where to find quality political news and not watch or read inaccurate news
- be passionate about defending the rights of themselves and others
- vote in every election they can
- create their opinions using facts and not prejudice ideas
- Adults having these skills described above will lead to more trustworthy and valid political candidates being elected
Plan of Action
What needs to happen?
What needs to happen?
- get more government support for civics education
- make civics and history equal to science,math, and english education
- make taking a civics class and passing a civics test a high school graduation requirement
- have "Introduction to Civics" classes in elementary school and middle school to keep students familiar with civics even at a younger age and teach the more complicated aspects of civics in high school