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In Case You Missed It: Civic Education 101
"The consequences of neglecting civic education are all around us," Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg writes.
Listen
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Each year, the federal government spends roughly $50 per student on STEM education. It spends 5 cents per student per year on civic education.
It’s no wonder that nearly a quarter of Americans can’t name a single branch of the government.
What is civic education? And what’s at stake when schools don’t require it?
From Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg in The Boston Globe:
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The Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol was a stark reminder of the deep-seated problems in US democracy and a clarion call to address those problems by strengthening the civic instruction of our young people.
The consequences of neglecting civic education are all around us: rampant misinformation, disengagement from democratic action and institutions, acrimonious political divisions that pose a danger to the survival of our system of government, and a sentiment, shared by too many young Americans, that they have no place in American civic life.
Most states require at least one semester of civics instruction. The problem is not whether civics is taught, but how it’s taught, and whom it’s benefiting.
We talk with experts about the state of civic education — and bring you a 101 lesson about the tenets of civic life.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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