In this era of false social media narratives, it’s time to use our public schools to help students to become better citizens. How else can we address national surveys that depict a yawning gap in students’ knowledge of the crucial concepts behind how we govern the nation?
After several starts and sputtering stops, it appears the Smith Hill politicians are getting serious about beefing up the teaching of history and civics in our schools. While they are at it, they should also consider promoting media literacy.
Proposals to mandate civics education have bounced around the Statehouse for several years, yet have never gained enough traction to become law.
Now, there is a bipartisan effort to get this done. Republican Rep. Brian Newberry of North Smithfield, has introduced a measure to require state education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green to put into effect high school courses teaching the underpinnings of democracy.
This legislation has drawn support from Democrats, including Reps. Lauren Carson of Newport, Rebecca Kislak of Providence, John Edwards of Tiverton and Gregg Amore of East Providence, a veteran high school history teacher. A similar bill is pending in the Senate, where Cranston Democrat Hannah Gallo is a champion.
After providing for the peace and safety of citizens, education is the most important mission of local and state governments. As Horace Mann put it in 1846, “education must be sufficient to qualify each citizen for the civic and social duties he will be called to discharge.”
Massachusetts has already acknowledged the sorry state of civic education. Two years ago, Beacon Hill lawmakers enacted a plan to require history and civics education from early grades through high school. The measure also requires a full year of teaching civics in eighth grade.
Civics and government were once taught universally in public schools. But over the years that changed. Some experts point to the cultural fissures of the 1960s for the decline. That era of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement made teaching about government corrosive.
Other experts point to economic changes. This has meant a switch to aggressively preparing students for technology jobs. Hence the focus on so-called STEM studies that emphasize science and math.
Representative Newberry says a civics curriculum should cover such founding national documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. That doesn’t mean these courses have to be a dreary recitation of ancient dates and events. These studies should also include local and state government. Students could visit town and city council hearings and learn about voting. Projects could mix disciplines — how climate change, for instance, could be addressed through government.
Rhode Island is perfect for learning about civics. It’s a small state with a history dating to the seventeenth century. It wouldn’t cost much to ensure that all students get to experience such crucial places as Pawtucket’s Slater Mill, where the American Industrial Revolution began. Or the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, which shows the immigrant experience that has shaped the state. Or the legacy of both the slave trade and the beginnings of the U.S. Navy in Newport.
Infante-Green supports the concept of bolstering civics, says her spokeswoman.
Our nation requires immigrants seeking citizenship to pass a basic test on civics and government. We should expect no less of our high school students.If we are going link teacher evaluations on how well students perform on math tests, shouldn’t we also expect educators to inform how a democracy works?
The Rhode Island Center for Justice has filed suit in federal court to force schools to teach civics. That case is pending before Judge William Smith. This is a worthy effort. But the General Assembly ought to step up and make this lawsuit moot.
Why should students have to go to federal court to learn about democracy, a system they will hopefully be living under for the rest of their lives?
Scott MacKay’s commentary can be heard every Monday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 and at 5:44 in the afternoon.
Correction: an earlier version misstated the home community of Rep. Brian Newberry (R-North Smithfield).
