To address declining civic engagement and rampant misinformation, over half of U.S. states are introducing measures to enhance civics education in schools. Legislative proposals focus on media literacy and foundational documents, aiming to cultivate informed citizens. Educators are trained to incorporate civics from an early age, as highlighted by Washington state's establishment of a dedicated civics class for high schoolers. Experts emphasize that early civic education fosters understanding of justice and service, which is essential for nurturing responsible citizenship in the face of today's political challenges.
In their efforts to create informed, educated citizens, some states have invested in teacher training and increased curriculum standards for civics at the elementary through high school levels.
The electorate is largely ignorant, and there is an overall deficit of civic learning, said Charles Quigley, the executive director of the Center for Civic Education.
It's important to start teaching about civics in kindergarten to have basic ideas of justice and service, Quigley says.
The political climate at the state, local and national levels, and the steady drumbeat of negative news, "has people wondering, 'How the hell could this have happened?"
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