Op-ed by JMC's Tom Kelly, with David Bobb and Jeff Sikkenga

View this in your browser ([link removed])
JMC in the News
Arguments About Critical Race Theory Miss the Point About Broken Civics Education
Tom Kelly, JMC's director of civic education outreach, co-wrote the opinion piece below for the Philadelphia Inquirer ([link removed]) with David Bobb ([link removed]) , president of the Bill of Rights Institute and Jeff Sikkenga ([link removed]) , executive director of the Ashbrook Center.

The three leaders co-direct the
American Civics and History Initiative ([link removed]) , a collaborative national effort to provide K-12 teachers with the knowledge and content they need to be highly effective in teaching America's founding principles and history to young students. We launched the pilot program in Florida last year, and are currently working to take the model to three new states in 2022. Scroll down to learn how you can help us do more.
[link removed]

In recent months, lawmakers and activists have become embroiled in a debate over critical race theory (the movement contending that our legal, political, and societal structures are inherently racist) and whether public school programs or curricula that reflect this thinking are appropriate.

Eight states have passed laws to ban critical race theory, and nearly 20 more are considering legislation.

But the intense debate highlights a reality upon which all sides can likely agree: To prepare coming generations for their roles as citizens, American civic education needs fixing.

Basic educational outcomes make that clear. For example, only 56% ([link removed]) of respondents to the 2021 Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey could name all three branches of government. In 2018, only 24% ([link removed]) of 8th graders scored “proficient” in civics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and only 15% ([link removed]) achieved the same rating in American history.

On a deeper level, we need everyone to understand our fundamental principles — among them, the notion that all people are created equal, regardless of race or ancestry; that government derives its legitimate powers from the consent of the governed; and that we all have certain rights that no just government can violate. These include the right to due process of law, freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.

So how do we make sure young people grasp these tenets?

Passing top-down policy may feel like progress, but substantive changes can only happen in the classroom — and must be led by our nation’s teachers.

teacher with students

America’s middle and high school educators have a unique platform. Their instruction of American history can influence generations to come. In fact, throughout a typical career, a social studies teacher can reach more than 5,000 students ([link removed]) .
Yet our teachers don’t have all the tools and support they need. In a December report, the Rand Corporation found that only 20% ([link removed]) of public-school social studies teachers feel well equipped to teach civics. The teachers cited a lack of training, professional development opportunities, and instructional materials. Social studies educators are lagging behind their colleagues in other disciplines. A 2017 Brookings report ([link removed]) found that they are historically among the least likely to engage in professional development in their field of study.

There are ways to rectify this situation. Private support of ongoing teacher education can have a particularly powerful impact.

Our three organizations launched the American Civics and History Initiative, a collaborative effort that provides thousands of teachers with learning opportunities they may have missed in college or graduate school. Designed solely for educators, these programs focus on the primary documents and debates that have shaped the history of the United States.

The pilot, launched in Florida last year, has already reached hundreds of educators statewide. Public educational initiatives also play a crucial role. Florida recently announced the Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative, a $106 million program ([link removed]) that will support and incentivize ongoing teacher training for Florida civics teachers in coming years.
Public and private efforts needn’t be limited to the Sunshine State. Our organizations are working with teachers around the country. Across the board, we’ve found that these educators want to deepen their knowledge in the subjects they teach. They only need the opportunities to do so.

Bottom line: If you want to help civics, help civics teachers.

Every democratic society is rife with disagreement. Better civic education is not going to change that — and it’s not supposed to. But a more widespread understanding of our founding principles, their origins and role in our history will provide the shared foundation from which we can disagree.

The debate over critical race theory highlights an obvious truth — what happens in our nation’s civics and history classrooms matters. If we want to have a real effect on students, and strengthen the enduring bonds we inherit from our founding, we need to support and equip passionate and dedicated teachers.
If you think your friends or contacts would be interested in this article, please forward this email or share on your social media!
[link removed] Post ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fgojmc.org%2Fjmc-faculty-partner-speaks-out-against-crt-7226086 Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fgojmc.org%2Fjmc-faculty-partner-speaks-out-against-crt-7226086)
[link removed] Share ([link removed])


** Will You Help Us Improve Civics Education for More of Our Young Citizens?
------------------------------------------------------------
The battle for the soul of our nation will be won or lost in our classrooms ™ — Jack Miller

The Jack Miller Center works to revitalize education in America’s history and its founding principles. Our goal is that every student learns the ideas that informed the founding of our nation so that they may preserve our freedoms for future generations.

Through the American Civics and History Initiative, we are collaborating with the Bill of Rights Institute and the Ashbrook Center so that we can provide high-quality programs to as many K-12 teachers as possible. We've begun in Florida and are working to take the initiative to other states.

We cannot make nationwide change without the support of donors like you. Help us help those in the classroom teaching our kids.

Consider a tax-deductible gift to the Jack Miller Center. Your donation, large or small, is an investment in the future of our country—for you, for your children, for your grandchildren.
Click here to donate online ([link removed])
To Mail a Donation:
Checks can be made payable to the Jack Miller Center. Or please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. You can reach Mike Carroll, JMC Executive Director of Development at 484-436-2067 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Jack Miller Center
3 Bala Plaza West, Suite 401
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19072
About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.

We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.
www.jackmillercenter.org

============================================================
Follow Us
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
The Jack Miller Center
[email protected]
484-436-2060

Our mailing address is:
3 Bala Plaza West, Suite 401, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.