{"id":1427225,"date":"2023-09-13T00:45:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T04:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/?p=1427225"},"modified":"2023-09-13T00:45:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T04:45:00","slug":"new-civics-program-can-help-bolster-american-democracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/new-civics-program-can-help-bolster-american-democracy\/1427225\/","title":{"rendered":"New Civics Program Can Help Bolster American Democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Civics Program Can Help Bolster American Democracy<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Authored by Margaret Spellings via RealClear Wire<\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

Proposed changes to the U.S. citizenship exam have renewed the question of how many natural-born American citizens could pass this basic civics test.<\/strong> The\u00a0troubling answer<\/a> is that one in three can\u2019t. Healthy democracy requires not only popular participation but an understanding of who we are, where we came from, and how and why our system of government functions the way it does.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

For years, I, along with other former Secretaries of Education, have called for\u00a0a national renewal of civics education<\/a>\u00a0to provide our citizenry with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to engage in our democracy in a meaningful and constructive way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, recent educational assessment data warns that we\u2019re moving in the wrong direction.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In May, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), released the \u201cnation\u2019s report card\u201d for civics education. For the first time since 1998 \u2013 the year the federal government began testing eighth-grade students for civics acumen \u2013\u00a0scores declined<\/a>. Nearly 80% of students, the results reveal, are not proficient in civics \u2013 a jaw-dropping statistic for anyone concerned with America\u2019s staying power. The need for creative approaches to civics education could not be more urgent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thankfully, there\u2019s an exciting new model for renewing interest in civics by making it fun.<\/p>\n

Last month, middle school students from across Texas assembled at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas hoping to stake their claim as the state\u2019s first-ever National Civics Bee champion.<\/strong> These students wrote an essay about a community issue, prepared for months and were first victorious at regional competitions held this spring throughout Texas, organized by local chambers of commerce.<\/p>\n

These events aren\u2019t unique to Texas. In fact, the idea to launch these competitions sprang from an innovative partnership between the Daniels Fund \u2013 a private charitable organization based in Denver, Colorado \u2013 and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington, D.C. More than 50 communities in nine states held their own National Civics Bee competition this year, and the plan is to supersize this approach to civic engagement by expanding to several more states in 2024.<\/p>\n

Big problems demand bold solutions, and philanthropic organizations are uniquely suited to tackle the challenge of civics education \u2013 one which government intervention risks politicizing. Voluntary associations like the partnership between the U.S. Chamber Foundation and the Daniels Fund can move swiftly to solve a community problem that benefits everyone.<\/p>\n

Civics can\u2019t be an afterthought if American democracy is to endure.<\/strong> Hanna Skandera, president of the Daniels Fund, remarked at the recent Texas competition that \u201cfrom the very beginning, the founders of our country understood that for the American form of government to thrive, its citizens would need to be informed and engaged in our processes.\u201d No doubt. In fact, her organization and the U.S. Chamber Foundation are making a major bet that this unique approach to civics education can catch fire. But they can\u2019t do it alone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how you can help: If you\u2019re an elected official, step up to be a judge at a local or state competition. Inspire your local chamber to host a local competition. If you\u2019re a business, coordinate with your local chamber to help sponsor and facilitate these important events. As a parent, take a proactive role in encouraging your son or daughter to participate in next year\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n

Our democracy has undergone a number of stress tests in recent years, and there will be more to come.<\/strong> By renewing interest in history and civics among our students, families, and businesses, we can equip all Americans with the knowledge and resources needed to bridge our divides. America\u2019s future depends on all of us doing our part to ensure its vibrancy and endurance, and the National Civics Bee is a wonderful and worthy experiment on which to build.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tyler Durden<\/a><\/span>
\nTue, 09\/12\/2023 – 20:45<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bhttps:\/\/www.zerohedge.com\/political\/new-civics-program-can-help-bolster-american-democracy<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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