ipl-logo

Letter To Kentucky Board Of Civics Education

1374 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An essay about civic education

Dr. Lu Young
Kentucky Board of Education Chair
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

Dear Dr. Lu Young,

I’m Andy Wan, an eighth-grade student attending Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia. Today, this letter is sent to you to share my thoughts on the importance of civics education. During my civics class this year, I have learned various reasons why civics is a crucial part of our lives. Additionally, we are taught that it is critical for American citizens to learn about the effects of the government on their lives, as well as how the government operates. Today, I will be writing to you about both the importance of civics education and the negative effects that a lack of civics education can have.

There are four groups …show more content…

While Virginia heavily emphasizes on the importance of learning about local government, Kentucky does not. Because of the history that connects Virginia to the construction of the United States, the Virginia civics curriculum focuses on Virginia impact on the government, while Kentucky focuses on just the Kentucky Government. In the April 2019 edition of the Kentucky Academic Standards, the board quotes that “the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) states that social studies "is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence."” However, Kentucky does not require students to take one year of a civics course. In Virginia, one year of civics education is required to graduate. Quoting …show more content…

First, we go over why civics education needs to change now. According to research conducted by brookings.edu, a government governed by “the people” will not last long without proper civics education. Civics education provides individuals with an understanding of American politics and laws, promoting engagement and community service. However, despite its importance, only 26% of Americans could name the three branches of government, as reported by aft.org. 74% of the population unable to answer basic civics knowledge is quite disturbing. If we keep on this path of a lack of civics, this percentage may increase . Consequently, this highlights the need for more comprehensive civics education in the United States. In this context, Virginia, as a state, has an exceptional civics curriculum that places strong emphasis on information the public may lack. As Lora DeSalvo, a Curriculum Associate for iCivics, points out, civics education is critical for the success of a democracy, as it enables people to understand how their government works and participate in it. Furthermore, as sciencedirect.com notes, civic learning via engagement encourages critical thinking and debate, promoting greater involvement in communities. Not only does this information prove that civics education is beneficial to our society, it also informs us that civics education is essential to a thriving nation. To

Show More
Related

Damon Cann Summary

560 Words | 3 Pages

Damon Cann: Electronic vs. Paper Voter Guides and Citizen Knowledge Cann began his presentation by describing how political knowledge is decreasing. Specifically, only 50-percent of college students can identify the term lengths of U.S. Representatives and Senators. Cann explained that while someone can say that it is impossible to know every subject, such as chemistry, politics may be more impactful on a daily basis than chemistry. Citizen knowledge matters because it is essential in the political process. Cann theorized that a possible solution to counter a lack of political knowledge is a neutral voter guide that is typically state sponsored.

Read More

Analysis Of Our Declaration By Danielle Allen

1892 Words | 8 Pages

As such, it can be argued that Allen's approach is valuable in promoting a more engaged and responsible citizenry. However, as Barndt suggests, there is a need to address the systemic issues that exist in our society to ensure that all individuals have equal access to the democratic process. Overall, Allen's vision of political education is an important step towards promoting democratic participation and civic responsibility, but it must be accompanied by efforts to address the structural inequalities that exist in our

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Students Fight Assault On History By Leonard Pitts

1141 Words | 5 Pages

The history of the United States of America has often been punctuated by moments of triumph, and also by grievous lapses in moral and ethical judgements. For years, students have learned about the entirety of our country’s history in school. However, a school board in Colorado recently attempted to prevent this from happening. Their decision to alter the American history curriculum in order to promote patriotic values angered many students, who then protested this decision. Leonard Pitts, a journalist for the Miami Herald, openly criticized the school board’s move.

Read More

Patriot Connectors: Importance Of Voting

183 Words | 1 Pages

The Patriot Connectors group says that voters need to be taught about the

Read More

Role Of Kentucky Council On Postsecondary

1764 Words | 8 Pages

The council also licenses non-profit and for-profit higher education institutions to operate in Kentucky (Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, 2022). The Governor appoints the Council members, which include 13 citizens, one faculty member and one student member; the Commissioner of Education is an ex-officio member. The role of and responsibilities of the Council are to ensure a well-coordinated and efficient public postsecondary education system which include, but are not limited to: set educational attainment goal for the state, develops and implements a statewide strategic agenda and diversity policy aligned with state goals, creates a biennial budget request and performance funding model for adequate funding, monitors and approves tuition rates, admission criteria and academic programs, collects, analyzes and reports comprehensive performance data, ensures the coordination and connectivity of technology, provides orientation and training for college and university board members or regents, works with campuses on transferability of credits among public two-year and four-year institutions (Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, 2022). The Council’s role in government is to facilitate a positive return on investment of public funds supporting higher education by monitoring academic quality,

Read More

Pros And Cons Of The Articles Of Confederation

1304 Words | 6 Pages

In Ohio a government class is required to graduate in public high schools, but that class can only scratch the surface on the knowledge someone would need to be truly informed. By just ignoring it, people just succumb to the system. If people took the time to be involved or at least educated on the Senate, House and parties they may be more satisfied with laws because they know how the decisions were made. Government is just something that everyone will be effected by for the rest of our lives so why not at least understand it instead of being controlled by

Read More

What Were Thomas Jefferson's Major Accomplishments

1959 Words | 8 Pages

Jefferson designed a unique system of student self-governance, empowering students to take an active role in shaping their educational experience and contributing to the administration of the university. This participatory model of governance instilled in students a sense of civic responsibility and democratic values, preparing them to become engaged and informed citizens. By establishing a public university dedicated to liberal education, critical

Read More

Electoral College, The Nuclear Deal, And The United States

872 Words | 4 Pages

Prior to this class, I was unaware of the knowledge on websites, media, and further informational outlets to aid me in researching political events, interest groups and legislation, and thus providing me a more well rounded viewpoint. Now with my knowledge of the government system, informational outlets, and many other things, I can exercise my rights to change the community and country; I believe the familiarity with our systems obtained in this class, it will be easy to find and participate in political events around me and make a

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lyndon B Johnson's Speech: The Great Society

1057 Words | 5 Pages

The idea of classroom causing problems for America’s society is elaborated when President Johnson explains that many children in America don’t have enough money to afford school. “There your children’s lives will be shaped. Our society will not be great until every young mind is set free to scan the farthest reaches of thought and imagination.” In order for a society to be great, education is the foundation; schools are where child learn about their world, and what it is they will do in the future to earn money to live a good life. And to better prove his idea Johnson states, “Each year more than 100,000 high school graduates, with proved ability, do not enter college because they cannot afford it,” then questions what will happen in years when time has become elapsed to conclude any efforts are needed to come into play for there to be a Great Society.

Read More

The Right To Read In Farenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

609 Words | 3 Pages

By limiting what students can read, the government is also limiting their ability to develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions in the

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Schools Are Destroying Freedom Of Speech

1253 Words | 6 Pages

That dream is no longer true” (Whitehead 354). Whitehead’s aggressive tone to introduce his essay not only allows his audience to immediately recognize his definitive stance on this issue, but also informs them what will be discussed throughout the essay as well. In spite of Whitehead’s early aggressiveness, he begins to transition to a softer tone by discussing the inadequate knowledge students have of the U.S. Constitution. By applying this less contentious tone, Whitehead gives his audience on the opposing side of the argument reasoning to continue interest in his essay rather than quickly rejecting it. Whitehead includes multiple statistics to support his argument on constitutional education in public

Read More

Civil Literacy During The Civil Rights Movement

167 Words | 1 Pages

Although civil literacy was important in America during the Civil Rights Movement, today it is in steep decline based on many factors. In most schools, classes focusing on civics or similar themes are virtually nonexistent. The reading states, "fewer and fewer schools require civic courses". Most social studies classes barely touch on the subject. Since the younger generation of America is the one that most needs to be educated in civics, this could be threatening because they can 't run a country while simultaneously knowing nothing about it.

Read More

Green Party Platform On Education

575 Words | 3 Pages

Despite the fears of George Washington and other distinct figures in U.S. history, political parties were formed and have remained. Citizens utilize parties as linkage institutions in order to express their opinions and elect leaders who will bring forth policies to support those opinions. By studying the different platforms of these linkage institutions, citizens can inform themselves on what parties, such as the Democratic, Republican, or Green, stand for. Specifically, the Green party’s platform on education is one that is worth noting. The Green party’s understanding of education in the U.S. and its different components is in the U.S. citizens best interest.

Read More

Sociological Imagination In Education

1810 Words | 8 Pages

As Americans, we view the Constitution as a stepping stone to making the great country we live in today. Yet, we the people of the United States failed to realize another component in order to form a perfect union. Which is to establish and promote equal opportunities for a quality education for all. However, we live in a society where social locators such as class, gender, and race are huge factors in the determination of one’s educational future.

Read More

Definition Essay On Democracy

1127 Words | 5 Pages

If one was to truly think about the terms we use to define the American political system, one would come to realize that this may be a more accurate definition. If America was a true democracy everyone would rule and govern themselves or everyone would be able to have choice in the decision that are made. In today’s society people are given the false idea that they have a say in the policies and laws that are created and even the power to pick their representatives. As it relates to education we should go to schools and learn things that foster our interest and promote individual

Read More

More about Letter To Kentucky Board Of Civics Education

Related Topics

Open Document