Blueprint for Reform: Civics Education is a policy guide developed for state legislators and university trustees. It addresses the significant deficiency in civic knowledge among college graduates and advocates for comprehensive reforms in higher education to enhance civic literacy.
Key Recommendations:
- Curriculum Enhancement: Integrate a mandatory 3-credit course on American Institutions and Ideals into general education requirements, ensuring students engage with foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
- Civics Literacy Assessment: Implement a College Civics Literacy Test as a prerequisite for graduation to evaluate students’ understanding of essential civic concepts.
- First Amendment Education: Develop orientation programs that emphasize the significance of the First Amendment and its role in American democracy.
- Constitution Day Observance: Organize annual events to commemorate Constitution Day, fostering a deeper appreciation of the nation’s founding principles.
- Regular Civic Knowledge Surveys: Conduct periodic assessments to gauge and improve students’ civic understanding over time.
These recommendations aim to cultivate informed, responsible, and engaged citizens by strengthening the civic education framework within higher education institutions.
