1. Formal classroom instruction in government, history, law and democracy
Classroom-based education about the government, history, laws and democratic
institutions of the U.S. is vital. Much of the important foundational
information about our system can be taught in a classroom setting. If students
learn about democratic systems, history and current events in a well-structured
curriculum,
they may retain that information into adulthood.
Indicators
A well-structured curriculum features instruction in the following areas:
- U.S. Constitution and its principles as applied to the past and the present.
- U.S. History, both at home and abroad, and its major themes.
- Structure and processes of government and elections over time.
- Powers and limitations of different branches of government at the federal, state and local levels.
- Realistic depiction of legal and political systems that illustrates how society has changed and can change to reflect "a more perfect union."
- Explicit connections between formal instruction and concrete actions in students' lives.
- Material not contained in a text book—particularly primary source materials and classroom visits from experts and other resource people in the community—to learn about important events, ideas, and issues affecting students, their communities, the nation, and the world.
- Key democratic knowledge, skills and concepts, including the role of citizen as the most important role in a democracy.
Evidence
Classroom instruction matters. After nearly three decades of uncertainty about the
benefit of government and civics courses, new research demonstrates classroom-based education does make a difference.
- Students who have had courses in government and history perform better on tests designed to measure civic knowledge.
- More knowledgeable adults vote more consistently and vote on issues rather than personalities.
- Preliminary research from We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution demonstrates that alumni are more likely to vote, pay attention to political issues and work for political candidates or issues.
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