Wednesday
May 8, 2024 
In an October 2022 Education Week article titled, “What’s the Point of Civics Education,” Rick Hess, of the American Enterprise Institute, wrote of being “gobsmacked” by the results of a RAND Corporation survey of K-12 teachers on this very topic. I encourage you to read Rick’s entire article for yourself, but will provide a brief summary of a few key points of the survey:
• Only 23 percent of teachers believe promoting knowledge of citizens’ rights and responsibilities is a core aim of civics instruction;
• Only 11 percent of teachers believe that civics instruction should build capacity for students to defend their point of view.
• Only 5 percent of teachers believe the importance of civics instruction in preparing students for political engagement.
Yet, an overwhelming majority of teachers believe a core goal of civics instruction is to promote critical and independent thinking. To those teachers who feel critical thinking is most important, I need to ask the obvious question: To what content do you assign this process?
In Pennsylvania, we have clearly defined academic standards in civics and government. These standards were enacted by our legislature and signed into law. Standards aren’t simply a suggestion; they are a legal requirement of all taxpayer-funded schools. Both traditional public schools and public charter schools are mandated to provide instruction in civics and government as outlined below (the bolded emphasis is mine):
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1790 was the basis for the Free Public School Act of 1834 that is the underpinning of today’s system of schools operating throughout the Commonwealth. These schools were created to educate children to be useful citizens, loyal to the principles upon which our republic was founded, and aware of their duties, as citizens, to maintain those ideals.
The Academic Standards for Civics and Government are based on the Public School Code of 1949 which directs “... teaching and presentation of the principles and ideals of the American republican representative form of government as portrayed and experienced by the acts and policies of the framers of the Declaration of Independence and framers of the Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights…”
The intent of the Code is that such instruction “shall have for its purpose also instilling into every boy and girl who comes out of public, private and parochial schools their solemn duty and obligation to exercise intelligently their voting privilege and to understand the advantages of the American republican representative form of government as compared with various other forms of governments.”
The RAND survey offers an important wake-up call. Specifically, parents and taxpayers in Pennsylvania must remind local school boards of their obligation to follow existing law and ensure public school students are receiving required civics instruction. Where there may be a conflict between what is required by law and what some believe should be taught, the law prevails.
Pennridge School District has hired a consultant to write its K-12 Social Studies curriculum. Cost aside, concerns were raised by the public about the consultant’s ties to Hillsdale College: a college known for its Christian values and pro-America focus. Issues ranged from the potential for indoctrination, and how students will suffer academically, to divisive culture wars, and even accusations of an anti-woke agenda.
In 2022, only 13 percent of 8th grade students, nationwide, scored proficient in the history exam administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. While some may blame the ubiquitous Covid for low numbers, these test scores were in decline well prior to the pandemic.
In the end, Pennridge approved the hiring of the curriculum consultant. Board member Ricki Chaikin voted in favor of the hiring and emphasized the board’s focus on improving civics instruction by wanting every student to pass the civics test and understand the Constitution.
For taxpayers, teachers, schools and districts that may not agree with either the content or the purpose of civics instruction as outlined by Pennsylvania law, their anger is misplaced on local school boards. Public school boards are required to follow the law.
The emphasis on the strengths of America and its founding Christian values are deeply held within the Pennsylvania academic standards. If you disagree with this focus, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to practice your civic duty and contact your local legislator.
Civics instruction is critical to a well-functioning, representative democracy.
Civics instruction, as defined by academic standards, is the law in Pennsylvania.
Jean Wallace lives in Flourtown, Montgomery County, and is the former CEO of Green Woods Charter School in Philadelphia.
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