The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal has published its eighth policy guide for university and legislative policymakers: “Blueprint for Reform: Civics Education.” This new paper recommends civics education requirements to help ensure that college and university students graduate with the knowledge necessary to be responsible and engaged citizens.
In the Blueprint, the Martin Center recommends that policymakers “rewrite general education requirements to include a 3-credit course or its equivalent on American Institutions and Ideals, which requires the reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in their entirety, and at least three additional original works.”
Martin Center president Jenna A. Robinson said, “Students are graduating from college ignorant of basic facts about our country’s history, founding documents, and governmental structure. If we wish to have responsible and civically-engaged citizens, this must change.”
In addition to coursework, the Martin Center proposes that students must pass a civics literacy test to graduate. The Blueprint lists existing university policies and legislation for university board members, faculty governing committees, legislators, and other higher education decision makers to compare and use as models.
New policy reform recommendations on different topics will be released by the Martin Center regularly.