Last fall, we reported on an 8th grade civics curriculum co-constructed between Harvard and Cambridge Public Schools, as well as newly introduced legislation to expand civic education in Florida.
Since January, the Harvard Gazette has published an update on the implemented curriculum, and Florida’s House PK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved their civic education bill, bringing it one step closer to a reality.
Late last month, Illinois’ governor signed legislation that will excuse students for two hours to vote in every election, effective June 1. The bill’s sponsor credited local students with proposing the plan: “The advocacy of the students in my district convinced me I had to sponsor this legislation, and their passion helped get it over the finish line.”
In San Antonio, high school students are pushing for amendments to their Student Bill of Rights, first adopted by the district last November. The students’ requests regarding harsh discipline practices have been cosigned by nonprofits such as ACLU Texas and Texas Appleseed.
The Center for American Progress recently released an evaluation of civics courses based on five key areas: explanation or comparison of democracy; the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights; public participation; information on state and local voting rules; and the role/influence of media and media literacy. Twenty six states included all five in their curricula.