Civic education: bridging the gap between school and home

Reading, writing… civics? 

According to the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress results released last Wednesday, only 24% of American high school seniors scored at least proficient in their know-how of civics. News outlets are reporting points of progress like 4th graders scoring slightly higher than four years prior – but are we setting our sights too low? Have we become complacent with substandard results and comfortable with an overwhelming majority of citizens who can’t identify and describe the most basic elements of our government?  As Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said in a recent statement, “That’s pathetic.”

Did the United States military have the legal authority to invade Pakistan, a sovereign nation and one of our allies, in order to assassinate Osama bin Laden? How does our government strategically decide between rebels or political leaders in times of revolution as in the cases of Egypt and Libya? When a majority of students are having difficulty with the basics of our own government, it’s no surprise that knowledge of foreign governments is sorely lacking. Every day, the news presents opportunities for learning (and teaching) about international relations. I think this reminds us all that learning does, and should, go beyond the classroom. Through parent involvement, effective and frequent parent-teacher communication, and practical, supplemental education at home, we can help learning continue even after the text books close.

Here are 5 tools that will inspire civics learning at home:

1. Subscribe to the Cobblestone® American History magazine for young readers. For just $33.95 a year you can keep your child entertained with theme-based issues from the news that are researched and edited by experts in the field.
2. Check out History.com with your child a few times a week (make it a tradition!) Read “This Day in History” to learn about historical anniversaries, and watch educational videos that will entertain and inform your young learner.
3. Don’t count out adult newspapers! Pick a time every weekend to find an appropriate hard news article that you’d like to share with your child. Encourage them to read it aloud and then take some time afterwards to discuss what they’ve learned and how they feel about the issue.
4. When you’re going over your child’s social studies or history homework, try to find ways to relate what they’re learning to modern issues. How does slavery in the 1800s relate to slavery that still exists today? How have American political parties transformed and been redefined over the years? When you make a school subject or homework assignment relevant, your child is more likely to appreciate and enjoy what they learn – and more importantly, they’ll retain it for later.
5. If your child hears about a controversial or complicated issue in the news (and with the proliferation of media nowadays, chances are, they will) join them on a search at the public library or on the Internet (used with caution) to learn more and find explanations to difficult questions. Remember – hiding your child from challenging subject-matter isn’t the answer. Knowledge is power, particularly when it’s guided by a conscientious parent or teacher.

Check back tomorrow for 5 basic facts you and your child should know about the U.S. government!

Wendy Wegner is editor of educational content for 1 On 1 Academic Tutors in Los Angeles. Visit her on the Web at www.wendywegner.com. 

Follow Wendy and 1 On 1 Academic Tutors on Twitter.