The Importance Of A Pivotal Moment Of Social Studies And Civic Education

A Pivotal Moment for Social Studies Education and Civic Literacy
Social studies and civic education may be on the verge of its greatest moment. After years of being marginalized as a discipline, there is a call for from concerned citizens and prominent lawmakers for our schools to do a better job of promoting civic education. In Ohio, several laws have been passed recently that emphasize the study of the Founding Documents, American history and government, world history and civilizations, and financial literacy at Ohio’s high schools. Funding has been restored for Ohio’s grades 4 and 6 social studies assessments, which will help ensure students receive adequate instruction in Ohio and American History and World Geography before entering
By utilizing the disciplinary tools of historians, geographers, economists, and political scientists, social studies teachers are teaching students to research, analyze, critically thinking about information from multiple sources, so that they can draw well-founded conclusions and take informed action. Ultimately, the infusion of literacy skills and the inquiry-based approach to social studies will provide students with the tools they need for the vocation of citizen and reestablish the important and prominent role of civic education in our nation’s schools.

A Cornerstone of Democracy
The Founding Fathers recognized that the success of the American Republic was dependent on a well-informed and engaged citizenry. In a letter to W.T. Barry in 1822, James Madison cautioned that

“Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge
The advocacy work of the Ohio Council for the Social Studies has helped guarantee that students will have adequate social studies instructional time in the intermediate grades due to the reinstatement of state assessments at grades 4 and 6, and Ohio’s high school students will continue to take American History, World History, and American Government before graduation. Several inquiry-based models for quality social studies lessons have emerged and are being used throughout the state, including Stanford History Education Group’s Reading Like a Historian Program and the National Council for the Social Studies’ College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework. Most recently, Senator John Glenn, has called for the improvement of civic education and has helped launch iCivics Ohio, which includes several online modules and games aligned to Ohio’s New Learning Standards for Social Studies. Moving forward, we need to embrace the moment, continue to improve our craft as social studies teachers, and promote civic education in our schools and local communities. Now is the time for social studies teachers and educational leaders to “take informed action” and build on the strong foundation that has been laid to ensure that our young citizens have the skills and experiences they need to be successful in