Arrr! Florida, mateys, be holdin' the treasure map to face America's civics crisis, ye scurvy dogs!
2023-07-18
Arr, me hearties! In this year o' our Lord 2021, the noble Gov. Ron DeSantis be proclaimin' Florida's Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative, a grand treasure o' $106 million to raise the knowledge o' civics and education. Aye, 'tis a jolly good plan, indeed!
America’s education system is facing a crisis, with primary education falling behind in various metrics. In international rankings, American students have dropped from 15th to 40th place in mathematics. Social studies scores within the country are also disappointing, with only 14% of eighth-grade students meeting the proficient mark in history and 22% in civics. A Gallup poll in 2022 revealed that 55% of parents are dissatisfied with the quality of K-12 education. The pandemic has further highlighted the issues within the system.To address these problems, a nonpartisan research team suggests that state legislatures should plan for long-term policy changes. Florida has taken the lead in this regard by launching the Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative, a $106 million program aimed at elevating civic literacy and education. The initiative includes a reimagined curriculum, teacher professional development seminars, and a database of oral history and primary sources. Florida also offers the Civics Seal of Excellence program, which pairs teachers with expert scholars and practitioners in history, government, and political science.
The state's Board of Education has partnered with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to educate teachers about communism, with victims of communism and socialism sharing their experiences. This program aims to teach core civics topics while contrasting them with the history of communist ideology and regimes.
Florida’s efforts in civics education are commendable and serve as a model for other states. It is crucial for students to have a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities as American citizens. Furthermore, they should graduate prepared for the challenges of the modern world and be productive contributors to society.
By embracing America's history, both the good and the bad, and emphasizing the positive aspects, Florida is shaping a brighter tomorrow. The initiative equips teachers to introduce these concepts to millions of students, fostering a deeper understanding of America's founding principles and democratic experiment. By recognizing the uniqueness of their form of government, students are empowered to seize opportunities and create a better future for themselves and the nation.