Raising the bar on civic education.

• Author: Pitts, Annette Boyd

"The qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. They are the result of habit and long training." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Everett, 1824

National polls and surveys continue to document the limited knowledge held by Americans about civics, including our government and its corresponding institutions, processes, and practices. Studies publicize even the most basic knowledge deficits that plague our citizenry. This deficiency, coupled with the decline of quality civic education in our nation's schools, is cause for concern. If democracy lies in the hands of ordinary citizens, who ultimately serve on juries, vote in elections, evaluate public issues, and possibly run for office, what impact will this civic education deficit have on self-government?

A national survey released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that Americans know very little about how our government works. (1) Thirty-five percent could not name even one of the three branches of government and 60 percent could not identify the political party in control of the U.S. House of Representatives. (2) Previous studies have documented that nearly one-third of Americans believe a U.S. Supreme Court decision can be appealed, while one in four Americans think that a 5-4 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court is sent to Congress for resolution. (3) Approximately half of Americans believe that the president of the United States must follow the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. (4)

A separate national study conducted by FindLaw.com found that nearly two-thirds of Americans could not name even one member of the U.S. Supreme Court. (5) While one can debate whether it is important to recall the names, or numbers, of persons who serve in the U.S. House of Representatives or on the U.S. Supreme Court, it is important to recognize that without a basic knowledge of the structure of our government, the public is unlikely to understand more complex and fundamental concepts, such as the role of checks and balances, separation of powers, and judicial review. The judicial branch and its unique role in our constitutional structure may be particularly vulnerable when public knowledge is limited. Attempts to politicize the courts may be strengthened by this knowledge deficit.

This crisis in civic learning is impacting all ages and demographics. Even college graduates are not immune from this civic knowledge deficit. In a poll conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, 60 percent of college graduates did not know the process for ratifying a constitutional amendment and 40 percent did not recognize that Congress has the power to declare war. (6) Additionally, 10 percent of college graduates thought Judith Sheindlin --Judge Judy--served on the U. S. Supreme Court. (7) In its report, A Crisis in Civic Education, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni reported in 2015 that by allowing civic illiteracy, we have disempowered young citizens. (8) Civic education improves civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and has the capacity to be the great equalizer in our political system. Without opportunities for quality instruction, students' abilities to understand and participate in government are ultimately weakened.

The Center for the Study of the American Dream at Xavier University conducted a survey that has generated legislative and media attention in some states. (9) The national survey tested the civic knowledge of native-born citizens compared to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship. One in three native-born citizens failed the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test (also referred to as the U.S. citizenship test), while a 97.5 percent passage rate was reported for immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.

The survey results found:

* 85 percent did not know the meaning of "the rule of law."

* 82 percent could not name "two rights stated in the Declaration of Independence."

* 75 percent were not able to correctly answer "What does the judicial branch do?"

* 71 percent were unable to identify the Constitution as the "supreme law of the land."

* 68 percent did not know how many justices are on the Supreme Court.

* 63 percent could not name one of their two US Senators.

* 62 percent could not identify "What happened at the Constitutional Convention?"

* 62 percent could not answer "the name of the Speaker of the US House."

The Center also noted that "77 percent of native-born citizens agreed that all Americans should be able to pass the test," and "60 percent agreed that high school students should have to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test as a requirement for graduation." (10) Several states are pursuing such requirements amid mixed reviews and controversy over what constitutes effective civic education.

A School Perspective

Equally alarming as the statistics highlighting the adult knowledge deficit are the national reports highlighting the dismal status of civics and government instruction in our public schools. The National Center for Learning and Civic Engagement at the Education Commission of the States maintains a national database with updated public policy information on how states are addressing civic learning deficits at all levels. Some proponents of the citizenship test graduation requirement policies say mandating passage of such a test for high school seniors is a start in the right direction, while critics feel that the mere recall of basic facts is not sufficient to combat our civics deficit and prepare citizens for self-government. Higher order, more complex critical and deliberative thinking is the ultimate goal.

Recognizing the critical need to improve the state of civic education in our nation's schools, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, retired associate justice, U.S. Supreme Court, and founder of iCivics, has ignited a national conversation, traveling the country over the last decade as a national spokesperson for the need for quality civic education. "The better educated our citizens are, the better equipped they will be to preserve the system of government we have. Knowledge about our government is not handed down through the gene pool. Every generation has to learn it, and we have some work to do. We have neglected civic education for the past several decades, and the results are predictably dismal," stated Justice O'Connor...