Key reasons why students should learn about civics

[OxQQme]

Enough of the BernieHillary bashing already. OK?

Here's the problem---low voter turn-out.

A recent Pew Research Center study found that only one in three Americans can name one of three branches of government. This shows just how little emphasis is being placed on teaching American ideals and values in our schools. It's time to address the glaring lack of civics education in America.
http://www.civics-online.org/civics-education/key-reasons-why-students-should-learn-about-civics/

>"A democratic society relies on its people to fulfill their duties as citizens. When they are given a proper civics education, people know what is expected of them and to what limitations the government is bound. As the debate continues about whether or not civics should be taught in school, it is important to consider some of the key reasons why this subject benefits students who are about to become participating members of society."<

Public civics education debate topics --> http://www.civics-online.org/civics-education/public-civics-education-debate-topics/

>"4. What, if any, relationship exists or should exist between solid regimes and outstanding citizenship?

Aristotle once posited that multiple kinds of viable regimes existed, each of which required a different kind of desirable citizenry. That proposition necessarily begs the next question of what constitutes outstanding citizenship relative to regime genre. For instance, classic liberals embrace regimes that impose few demands on citizens as ideal, due to skepticism toward citizens’ ability to meet such demands and collective desire to safeguard individual citizens’ personal liberties. Similarly, civic republicans urge high activity and deliberate participation as the ideal environmental condition."<

Is Civics still taught at high school level?

If so, is that all that is required to get a higher, college degree in any path?

Is the high school teacher directing the students thoughts into the current state of affairs we find ourselves?
Or in a partisan fashion?

I know I'm talking to the choir here, as we wouldn't be members of DU without a knowledge of civics.
What is "your" level of public education's teachings of Civics? Beyond 101?

(thank you for getting this far in my post)

[BigmanPigman]

1. I had to teach Civics myself and wrote to the state of CA

often but nothing ever came of it. I taught K-6th and there was not a single Civics lesson in any of the CA state curriculum. At least I taught my students to vote, how, why, etc and we did it throughout the school year. Some people still think we are glorified babysitters but we have a lot to cover as teachers since parents are too busy. You would think that Civics would be a priority in schools though. And it should begin early to teach good habits.

[Igel]

2. In Texas all high-school seniors get a semester of government.

And a semester of economics.

Prior to that is a year of US history in their junior year, in which they go over the history of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. This includes federalism and states rights, but not in great depth.

In 8th grade they also get US history up to the Civil War (I think that's where it stops), and that includes a lot of the same stuff they get in their junior year.

In elementary school my kid came home talking about the Constitution, bill of rights, Congress, and how a bill becomes law and the role of the SCOTUS in interpreting it.

In 8th grade, it's new to the kids. Again.

My juniors early in the year have no idea what's up with this "three branches of government." Doesn't the president just make law? It explains why so many feared Obama, on the right; and so many were frustrated that Obama didn't "set things right" by imperial edict.

Oddly, my juniors, by the end of the year, are back where they began for the most part.

You haven't lived until you've tried to convince a high school senior, whose had the same content three different times, that we really have three branches of government and that they don't need to be afraid because Trump isn't able to make law on his own, and if there's anything that looks like "law" it's unconstitutional.

Education is a "right" in that they deserve the high school degree. Education is what you get when you pass a test. It's not information, much less knowledge, and even much, much less understanding that they acquire. It's a grade. Pass the test, chuck the information. Cheating is fine, because the goal isn't learning it's passing tests and getting the degree so they can do important things. For some, getting a job at a supermarket; for others, joining the military, for yet others, going to college; and for others, getting married to a rich man (or, less commonly, rich woman).

I can't help but snark that many DUers are also fuzzy on the role of the three branches of government, how a bill becomes law, or even what a right is under the Constitution. For some, it's mostly just "go, team!"

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I didn't fully appreciate the three branches of government

and federalism until I attended law school.

How pathetic is that?