Civics must be an essential part of any education

Assembly majority leader Robin Vos is correct in being concerned about the quality of civics education across the state and country.

“Across the nation, we are facing a civics education crisis. Civility, respectful discourse, and a basic understanding of how the U.S. government operates is severely lacking among students and adults,” Vos stated while announcing Assembly Bill 563 which, if passed, will create a state mandate that schools provide robust civics education.

According to the nonpartisan legislative reference bureau, the bill will leave it up to the state superintendent of public instruction to develop model curriculum and instructional materials for grades kindergarten to 12 on “civic education to prepare pupils to be civically responsible and knowledgeable adults.”

The bill further requires the curriculum must assist pupils in developing all of the following: 1. An understanding of shared rights and responsibilities as residents of Wisconsin and the U.S. and of the founding principles of the United States.

2. A sense of civic pride and desire to participate regularly with government at the local, state, and federal levels.

3. An understanding of the process for effectively advocating before governmental bodies and officials.

4. An understanding of the civic-minded expectations of an upright and desirable citizenry that recognizes and accepts responsibility for preserving and defending the benefits of liberty inherited from previous generations and secured by the U.S. Constitution.

5. Knowledge of other nations’ governing philosophies including communism, socialism, and totalitarianism and an understanding of how those philosophies compare with the philosophy and principles of freedom and representative democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States.

Under the proposed mandate, public and private schools would have to ensure their local civics curriculum would be consistent with the state-developed curriculum and high school students would be required to take a half credit of “civics instruction” in order to receive a diploma.

Setting aside any underlying political motivations or the inherent distaste that result from Madison-imposed mandates on local governments, the need for robust instruction in civics is essential for the continuation of strong communities and good government. It is likewise essential that a comprehensive civics instruction include a firm understanding of the legacy of freedom and civic responsibility that is both the birthright and burden of every American.

Taking the bill at its face value of promoting the core essence of what it means to be an American, the bill should be celebrated by people of all political persuasions. Everyone benefits when there is a broader level of civic understanding and engagement.

The challenge the bill brings to the table is that, while it sets noble goals, it does so in a toxic cesspit of state government political gamesmanship. Legislators on both sides of the aisle must not allow civics education to become yet another political football or to be co-opted as part of the red herring worries over critical race theory.

Civics education is vital to the future of American democracy on the local, state and national level.

In order for Wisconsin and America to continue to move forward, students must have a firm understanding of how government operates and the vital role of citizens in a vibrant democracy.