Engaging
All Students in
Civic Learning
Our changing cultural
dynamics puts
more of a focus on
thinking outside of our
classroom walls
18
Leadership
As educational leaders our
plate is full. We must balance the demands
of state and federal policies, parents, staff,
school boards, and students. Priority is given
to areas on which we are measured on the
California School Dashboard or whatever
is urgent at the moment. One area that can
get lost in the maelstrom of our professional
lives is an emphasis and value on civic learn-
ing. While Civics is a required course, it is
not assessed at the state level a’ la SBAC.
However, the authentic assessment in Civics
is not a government-mandated assessment,
but rather is measured by how we create an
educated citizenry to progress the ideals of
democracy and sustain and mold America
for future generations. Creating a commu-
nity, state, and country while preserving de-
mocracy is the ultimate test for which we are
preparing students.
When youth are engaged civically, the
more likely it will be that civic-minded hab-
its will carry into adulthood. Education is a
great conduit to engage our youth in civic
learning. This American axiom was articu-
lated by Thomas Jefferson, “An enlightened
citizenry is indispensable for the proper
functioning of a republic. Self-government
is not possible unless the citizens are edu-
cated sufficiently to enable them to exercise
oversight. It is therefore imperative that the
nation sees to it that a suitable education be
provided for all its citizens.” Furthermore,
President Jefferson exhorts the electorate
and government to “Educate and inform
the whole mass of the people...they are the
only sure reliance of the preservation of our
liberty.”
The need for civic learning is evident. The
most recent Annenberg Constitution Day
Survey in 2017 indicates that Americans are
poorly informed about basic constitutional
provisions.
In 2008, Kahne and Middaugh high-
light the importance of civic learning while
pointing out the role socioeconomic status
and race play in students’ opportunity to
engage in civic learning, “Students who are
more academically successful and those with
parents of higher socioeconomic status re-
By Mark Anderson