Reading, writing & civics

Toledo Blade: U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. is calling for renewed attention to civic education. He’s right.

Civics has been out of fashion for too long in our schools. And it has cost the nation. Too many of us behave as passive consumers of propaganda, rather than as citizens.

Civics, or what used to be called “Problems of Democracy” in many Ohio schools, should be integral to every young American’s school experience.

Primary documents

At a National Press Club luncheon last week, Secretary King said students need to know how government works. He said they should be familiar with important primary documents, including the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers. And he stressed the importance of getting students involved in both political conversations and public service, with attention to local as well as national issues.

Civic education should drive the school curriculum, not just hitch a ride.