Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Bolster Civics Education in Schools

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) has introduced legislation to strengthen civics education in American schools, recognizing the importance of teaching the U.S. Constitution and basic civic literacy to elementary and secondary education students. Joined by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Constitution education Is Valuable In Community Schools (CIVICS) Act aims to enhance civic engagement and historical literacy among young Americans. The bill requires federal grant recipients to include U.S. Constitution education in their programs, ensuring that students have a deep understanding of American history, government, and the principles of democracy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CIVICS Act requires elementary and secondary education federal grant recipients to include U.S. Constitution education in their programs to be eligible for continued funding.
  • The legislation recognizes the importance of teaching American history, government, geography, and the significance of the Constitution to basic civic literacy.
  • Senators Angus King, James Lankford, Roger Wicker, and Tim Kaine co-sponsored the bill, highlighting the bipartisan support for strengthening civics education.
  • The American History and Civics Education program, established under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, would require institutions to develop programming that teaches the Constitution.
  • Senator King has a history of championing civic engagement and historical literacy, including introducing bills to increase investment in civics and history education.

Statistics:

  • Since 1788, the U.S. Constitution has withstood the test of time, serving as the basis of the nation's government and the supreme law of the land.
  • President Reagan stated that freedom is "never more than one generation away from extinction."
  • The American History and Civics Education program provides grants for institutions of higher learning and other organizations to develop evidence-based approaches to improve the quality of American government, history, and civics.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Maine Angus King
  • Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Tim Kaine (D-VA)
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended
  • The American History and Civics Education program
  • National Archives and Records Administration (established in 1934, no date specified in the source)
  • Reference for Constitution Day: Public Law 101–410, 104 Stat. 1246 (1990), no specific date mentioned.