So in 2010 the Florida Legislature passed the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Education Act. One of the law’s chief boosters was former Florida Governor and United States Senator Democrat Bob Graham.
“I think it’s critically important that we begin to rebuild the understanding of our people, what it means to be a citizen of a democracy and the best place to begin is in schools” Graham said.
The law requires that 7th graders complete a civics course and 8th graders pass a civics test for promotion to high school.
It was a response to a statement by the former Supreme Court justice who said “only one third of Americans can name the three branches of government, but two thirds can name a judge on American Idol”.
Senator Graham is pleased seventh graders will be learning how their government works. But he said the aim of civics education is much broader.
“To be directly engaged in solving local problems, joining with others, identifying areas in which the community could be improved by successful civic action and then providing leadership by which to be successful,” said Graham.
Meanwhile, Governor Rick Scott has called for the state’s universities to put less emphasis on liberal arts offerings, which include history and civics, and more focus on degrees in engineering, math and science.
Florida Gulf Coast University History professor Patrick Bottiger said this attitude is pervasive in society and impacts the perceived importance of studying civics.
“Today the discussion of education seems to be it is almost vocational – like how does it help you get a job. But the fact is we’ve stopped thinking about how does it help you develop as a person,” he said.
The new civics course for seventh graders will be launched statewide next fall with testing for admission to high school beginning the following year.
Provisions of the Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Education Act will not change high school graduation requirements. Students will still be required to have four credits in math, four in English, three in science, with history and government trailing at two.
Civics Education gets a Boost in Florida Schools
Written by Valerie Alker-
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Starting next year Florida middle school students must pass a civics test to be promoted to high school.
Greg Martin, who teaches the pre-International Baccalaureate program at Ft. Myers High School, said his student receive a solid civics education. They are enrolled in American Government in ninth grade.
“It may be perceived that we’re not teaching it. Maybe some people on the street can’t answer rudimentary questions, so maybe we do need to do a better job, but it is part of the curriculum and we are teaching it,” he said.
Martin devotes an entire class period to the First Amendment. Student Diane Rivera-Ramos said it’s very interesting.
“When I watch the news I know what they’re talking about and I have an insight into the political world and when I grow up older I’ll be like able to know who to vote for and what they’re talking about like what they’re trying to do for the country,” Ramos-Rivera said.
But there is concern that Americans don’t know enoughabout their government.
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