2/21/2023

Last week’s curation at RealClear’s American Civics portal starts with Alberto Coll’s op-ed that explains how teachers can educate their students in freedom. Coll writes that teachers should show their students that the United States, despite the failures of Americans to live up to its stated principles throughout its history, has maintained a freer government compared to other countries in the world. Coll then recommends that teachers speak about the civic virtues that citizens must have in order to sustain free government: “Defined by habits of intellect and good character, the three virtues they especially prized were prudence, deliberation, and moderation.” He concludes by noting that though “there will always be political differences, we must cultivate not only these qualities of prudence, deliberation, and moderation but a full understanding of America’s unique place in the world and our role in this free society, which many around the globe have made great sacrifices to enjoy.”

Michael Poliakoff and Steven McGuire of ACTA report that the State University of New York (SUNY) system “has added a new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice general education requirement, placing it alongside existing ones in communication, mathematics, and natural science.” Meanwhile, a new ACTA report found that a “course in U.S. history and civic engagement...is required at only one institution in the system, Buffalo State College." Poliakoff and McGuire argue that in light of “how poorly Americans fare in civics—in the latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 24% of students demonstrate proficiency—public university systems like SUNY should be requiring their students to study American history and government.” A focus on civic education understood in this way “would be especially advantageous amid deep political polarization and declining trust in our system of government; civic education can help reduce these threats to our democracy.”