Lacking Civics Education and School Privatization
We have just come to the end of a long and contentious political season. Many of us are worried about America’s future. It’s never too late to ask how civics education is being addressed in our public schools.
Public schools don’t usually teach civics well. Have you ever wondered why it isn’t a priority?
The National Council for the Social Studies claims we have narrowed the curriculum over the years to mostly exclude civics instruction. They say this especially threatens the poor and nonwhite students who get less civics instruction than middle class and wealthy white students.
Put that together with the privatization forces which have been at work in public schools. School boards face budget cuts—defunding—and the sole push for students to be college ready. There appears to be less concern that students be good citizens.
In elementary school, high-stakes testing in reading and math pushes other subjects out of the curriculum.
In high school, students are driven to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes (a program that makes the College Board a lot of money). Students who qualify can sign up for Lacking Civics Education and School Privatization: