We will not durably restore political engagement unless, starting in the third grade, we develop a civic/political education curriculum plus history that includes academic, activist and experimental elements. The only way to ensure that happens is to include in No Child Left Behind testing on history and civic knowledge. We also need to return to the study, debate, and testing on current events, from either print or online newspapers -- partly to create informed youths and partly to salvage the newspaper business.

What ails the state legislatures?! How can we have a strong democracy without an informed citizenry? How is it possible that even one state out of the fifty doesn't require that high school graduates be able to demonstrate that they understand how our government works? Beyond that,
students can and must learn that the participation of ordinary citizens in public life (beyond voting!) is essential to maintaining our democratic way of life. Let's help educators (and legislators) think outside the box: Must civics be a stand-alone course? Or might it be taught across disciplines and through service learning. How about "illuminating" the existing curriculum by integrating civics lessons into a variety of courses, and giving students opportunities to practice democracy in almost every aspect of their schooling.

Molly and Curtis,
T
hank you for your input! We love hearing from you and depend on you to spread the word. If you know someone who is interested in civics education or civic involvement, let them know we'd like to hear from them, too. Look for more thought-provoking topics to come in the New Year.

Gay Pinder
Communications Director

I am in total agreement that more civics education is absolutely necessary if our constitutional democratic republic is to survive as we know it and as our fore fathers envisioned it. I am tired of waking up every day only to find that some one some where is trying to do away with our way of life. Until our younger generations are taught our heritage and our history, we are in danger of loosing to the socialists and the communists who have infiltrated our government at all level. I am ready to require voters to possess a certain level of knowledge about our history and our government as well as our constitution and judicial system before they are allowed to vote.