Read on Twitter
Agree that we desperately need an educated citizenry, vehemently disagree with the not-so-subtle suggestion that teachers are to blame.
Thread.
@forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickhess/2021/01/07/the-storming-of-congress-reminds-us-that-educated-citizens-are-freedoms-only-true-safeguard/
Thread.
@forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickhess/2021/01/07/the-storming-of-congress-reminds-us-that-educated-citizens-are-freedoms-only-true-safeguard/
No, schools and teachers have not "opted to focus on teaching [other] things."
Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian
![No, schools and teachers have not "opted to focus on teaching [other] things."Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErKHZoIXYAQ4W_X.jpg "No, schools and teachers have not \"opted to focus on teaching [other] things.\"Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian")
![No, schools and teachers have not "opted to focus on teaching [other] things."Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErKQA_lXYAEFzfZ.jpg "No, schools and teachers have not \"opted to focus on teaching [other] things.\"Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian")
Civics courses have been crowded out of the curriculum due to the demands of high-stakes testing, to devote more time for frequently-tested subjects, math & reading. See, e.g., Rebell, @Edu_Historian
The article also faults teachers for insufficiently regarding concepts like federalism and separation of powers because only 53% (aka a majority) of teachers surveyed say understanding them is "absolutely essential"
I teach those subjects in law school. The more I learn...
I teach those subjects in law school. The more I learn...
...the less I know. They are essentially contested concepts.
Of course, they should be taught but the same survey reveals that 81% of teachers are confident that their students do understand them well enough by the time they graduate high school.
I wish I could say the same.
Of course, they should be taught but the same survey reveals that 81% of teachers are confident that their students do understand them well enough by the time they graduate high school.
I wish I could say the same.
I'm frankly more impressed that 80% of teachers said it was absolutely essential -"To be tolerant of people and groups who are different from themselves"
And 65% - "To embrace the responsibilities of citizenship such as voting and jury duty" https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA112-4.html
And 65% - "To embrace the responsibilities of citizenship such as voting and jury duty" https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA112-4.html
The article also criticizes educators for being more inclined to tell "students why American institutions are fundamentally corrupt than" teach them that "these institutions are an inheritance to be safeguarded."
I say bravo, educators! Also, democracy is not to be inherited.
I say bravo, educators! Also, democracy is not to be inherited.
I very much welcome all these "We need civics education now!" takes.
But the takeaway can't just be "We need more civics and social studies."
What we really need is a sustained commitment to a fully immersive democratic education.
And the hard truth is...
But the takeaway can't just be "We need more civics and social studies."
What we really need is a sustained commitment to a fully immersive democratic education.
And the hard truth is...
...we don't know exactly how to do "democratic education." The experts disagree and we lack the research to provide our teachers firm guidance.
I can’t reiterate this research deficit enough, which too often gets overlooked in the push for more civics.
So...
I can’t reiterate this research deficit enough, which too often gets overlooked in the push for more civics.
So...
.. we need a remedy that helps us gather the data for that (and other edu) research and also brings some democracy to the classroom by giving students a voice.
My proposed, first-step remedy: #IEPsForAll
More about that remedy and all the above here: http://bit.ly/34RDv7Y
My proposed, first-step remedy: #IEPsForAll
More about that remedy and all the above here: http://bit.ly/34RDv7Y
