Writer: ‘Our students should know as much…as immigrants passing the American citizenship test’
Washington Township’s mission statement notes: “…to ensure (students) full participation in an ever changing world as responsible, self-directed and civic-minded citizens.”
Our students should know as much about the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Federalist Papers as immigrants passing the American 100-question citizenship test. Some states, not New Jersey, and school districts require civics for graduation.
Studies have repeatedly painted a deplorable situation at high schools and colleges. In 2003, a report commissioned by the Carnegie Corporation and the Center for Information & Research on civic learning and engagement on “the civic mission of schools” warned that “school-based civic education is in decline” and “young people’s political and civic knowledge is inadequate.”
In 2005, the American Bar Association revealed the public’s lack of understanding of civics, showing that 45 percent of Americans could not identify the three branches of government.
In 2006, 2010 and 2014, the National Center for Education Statistics administered the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the nation’s report card. Civics showed that only one-quarter of students in grades four, eight and 12 were proficient in civics. The 2014 report showed that only 18 percent of eighth-grade students are proficient in U. S. history, and 23 percent are proficient in civics.
In 2012, the Educational Testing Service’s study “Fault Lines in Our Democracy” determined insufficient time and effort are applied to civics.
In 2017, the National Association of Scholars’ study, “Making Citizens: How American Universities Teach Civics,” found traditional civic literacy replaced with how to organize protests, occupy buildings and stage demonstrations.
The Washington Times’ article entitled “Colleges Flunking Basic Civics Tests, Average is F in U.S. History,” sums it up.
Emphasize civics rather than wasting time on PARCC to meet our mission statement. Fostering an informed electorate is essential to the endurance of this free society.
Jack Scheidell
