Civics Secures Democracy Act Reintroduced in the Senate
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives have introduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would authorize an historic investment to support K–12 civic education and American history. AACTE urges members to reach out to their Members of Congress to encourage them to support the Civics Secures Democracy Act through the Action Alert in the AACTE Advocacy Center.
Over the last several decades, civics education in American schools has seen a significant decline. Given the divisiveness in our politics and the lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic principles, norms, and institutions, a robust investment in civics education is needed.
The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a bipartisan initiative to support states and local school districts in offering the civic education needed to equip youth in the United States with the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become informed and engaged members of society. It would create a variety of grants to states, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and civics education researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education. It includes the USA Civics Act, which would reauthorize existing grant programs targeted to strengthen American civics programs and promote more comprehensive studies of American history. And, importantly, the Act specifically prohibits use of the funds for the development of any national curriculum in American history or civics education.
Background
Over the last several decades, civics education in American schools has seen a significant decline. Given the divisiveness in our politics and the lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic principles, norms, and institutions, a robust investment in civics education is needed. To address this need, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives have introduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would authorize an historic investment to support K–12 civic education and American history.
Urge your senators and representative to cosponsor the Civics Secures Democracy Act today!
Text of Letter
Dear Senator:
As someone who cares deeply about the education our nation’s students receive, I strongly urge you to cosponsor the Civics Secures Democracy Act (HR 1814/S 879).
Over the last several decades, civics education in American schools has seen a significant decline. Given the divisiveness in our politics and the lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic principles, norms, and institutions, a robust investment in civics education is needed. To address this need, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives have reintroduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would authorize an historic investment to support K–12 civic education and American history.
The Civics Secures Democracy Act would create a variety of grants to states, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and civics education researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education. It includes the USA Civics Act, which would reauthorize existing grant programs targeted to strengthen American civics programs and promote more comprehensive studies of American history. And, importantly, the Act specifically prohibits use of the funds for the development of any national curriculum in American history or civics education.
This legislation is important to helping our students a better understanding of the democratic principles guiding our nation as well as become better informed citizens. Therefore, I strongly urge you to cosponsor The Civics Secures Democracy Act.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Tags: advocacy, content areas, federal issues
