Civic Education in Ohio
Statistics on the civic education of young Ohioans are sobering. For example, only 60.9 percent of Ohio’s fourth graders and 69.9 percent of sixth graders were proficient in citizenship. While Ohio’s ninth and tenth graders met the citizenship standard, the failure of the fourth and sixth graders is of concern since citizenship classes teach children the basics of American history and the value of political participation and civic rights.
Students experience difficulties on the citizenship section for many reasons, one of which is misguided teaching about American history and civics. For example, a 1997 survey by the National Constitution Center found American knowledge about the Constitution to be severely lacking. The survey reported that only six percent of respondents could name all four rights guaranteed by the first amendment.[1]
Another reason is poor teacher quality in the areas where citizenship values are taught. Teachers are frequently assigned to instruct classes in which they have no formal training. A 1998 study concerning teacher quality reported that “junior and middle school classes are more likely than senior high classes to be taught by less qualified teachers."[2]
In addition, as education professor Diane Ravitch notes in her book The Language Police, textbooks that may be used for civic education sometimes give false or misleading impressions of history and civics because they have been censored to avoid politically incorrect images and statements. Fox News reports that “The Founding Fathers, for instance, are now referred to as "The Framers," in an apparent effort to make them sound less male-dominant. And there will be no more reading about Mount Rushmore, where the faces of four U.S. presidents are carved into stone, because it appears to offend some American-Indian groups."[3]
Finally, The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) focuses more on math and reading than any other subject. As this law becomes the educational standard for American schools, it could prove problematic for civic education because the law has no specific requirements for civics.[4] Richard Theisen, past president of National Council for Social Studies, stated, “[We] believe the NCLB law has had the affect of marginalizing social studies education at all levels, but especially at the elementary level."[5]
The lack of civic knowledge and engagement among America’s youth manifests itself in several ways. A new report issued by the National Conference of State Legislatures maintains that only 50 percent of young Americans voted in the last presidential election and only 54 percent think we need to pay attention to politics.[6] In addition, this group knows more about the reigning champion of American Idol and the home city of the Simpson’s, than what party their state governor belongs to.[7]
Fortunately for would-be reformers, interest in improving civic education has increased. A recent publication, Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong?, compiled by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, an educational research institute, analyzes political interest among young Americans. The study found voting habits and political awareness have decreased and political cynicism has increased Just recently, The First Annual Congressional Conference on Civic Education took place in Washington D.C. in order to directly address the need for civic education reform.
Ultimately, the solution for Ohio schools is to prioritize civic education in Ohio’s social studies curriculums. Children have much to gain by understanding the history of our country and learning the foundations of the political process. If this solution is pursued, they will be better prepared to be effective, engaged citizens in their adult lives.
Notes
[1] Branson, Margaret Stimmann, ‘The Role of Civic Education,’ Center For Civic Education, September 1998, www.civied.org/articles_role.html
[2] Ibid.
[3] Vogel, Anita, ‘Calif. Offers Textbook Case of Political Correctness,’ Fox News, April 30, 2003. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,85650,00.html
[4] Donna Nesbitt, Ohio Department of Education.
[5] National Council for Social Studies Press Release, September 17, 2003.
[6] National Conference of State Legislatures Press Release, “Civic Education Increases Young People’s Interest in American Government, New Study Shows,” September 22, 2003.
[7] Moore, Richard T. “The Challenge of Citizenship in Modern America,” Metrowest Daily News, September 20, 2003.
Paige Kohn is a former research intern with The Buckeye Institute.
