Graduation Speech : Mandatory Civics Education

Civics and citizenship education is a vital part of the Australian curriculum, as it prepares students to become active and informed citizens in the community (ACARA, 2012). The term “civics and citizenship” covers a range of topics that relate to both the geography and history syllabuses. This includes government and democracy, citizenship, diversity and identity and laws and citizens. For students to be able to develop the necessary skills, attitudes and values to become active and informed citizens, civics and citizenship must be incorporated throughout the curriculum (ACARA, 2012). To understand the importance of civics and citizenship in primary education, both terms need to be understood and comprehended

The Washington Post is one of the nation’s oldest newspaper platforms for writers to inform their audience about problems in our country. One of America’s traditional practices is its bureaucratic system of democracy. In Sandra O’ Connor and Roy Romer’s article “Not by Math Alone”, the authors’ appeal to logical reasoning and emotion persuades the audience about the lack of civic education for students in school. Through well-detailed statistics and data, the authors attempt to impose rationality upon their readers regarding the importance of student participation for the government. According to the last national civics assessment in 1998, about “two-thirds of 12th -graders scored below proficient” while only “9 percent could list…benefits

The Abington School District v. Schempp (374 U.S. 203 (1963)), Wisconsin v. Yoder (406 U.S. 205 (1972)), and Amback v. Norwick, 441 v. 68 (1979)) cases discuss how and why education, to some degree, is necessary to prepare citizens to participate in our political system.

Paul Loeb is the author of Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in Challenging Times. In 2008 Loeb founded the Campus Election Engagement Project, a national nonpartisan student engagement effort that helped 500 colleges and universities engage their students in the election. Paul Rogat Loeb has spent thirty-five years researching and writing about citizen responsibility and empowerment. This book, more so a handbook, enables anyone who desires to make a change in the environment around them, leading them to get involved in larger communities. The book acknowledges that “it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to become

In the article “Not by Math Alone” published by the Washington Post, Sandra Day O’Connor and Roy Romer, uses rhetorical strategies such as appealing to logic and credible figures, through the help of factual evidence and reputable leaders, in which it supports the author’s concern of the youth not being well educated about their country’s government. The evidence used in the article aids in gaining the reader’s trust and helps accentuate on the need for more political and economic participation from the youth. As it states in the article, in the national civic assessment in 1998, “two-thirds of 12th –graders scored below proficient” and “only 9 percent” of the students could actually explain how they can positively affect their democracy. Although, in our modern societies, many of the adolescence are very nationalistic and loyal to their country, they still lack knowledge of what is really going on in our world and, because of this they are usually isolated from the events and issues that the U.S is facing.

Politics have made up a large part of public education in the United States of America since Anglo-Saxons came over from Europe. The effects that politics and governmental policies have had on public education have been evident throughout the history of the United States and are still apparent today. Beginning with assimilation and acculturation in the 17th century and continuing on to programs such as President George Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Mississippi Healthy Students Act of 2007, it is clear that governmental policies have and will always affect public education in the United States.

fight because he hates what is in front of him he fights because he loves what he left behind. This is a quote written by G.K Chesterton. This is certainly a true quote. We have two local heroes from our community. These two heros believed just this. These two heroes are also featured on our Mills County Freedom Rock Located in Emerson Iowa. You have probably figured out who I am talking about, I am talking about Sergeant Skalberg and Sergeant Carrie both of Emerson Iowa. And not to mention but they were both graduates from the former Nishna Valley School. They certainly did give up a lot for us. They have both made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives up for our country. Because of their sacrifice I can be here today speaking freely about my heros. This means that t they gave up the one thing that they loved most, their family. Now that I have told you who I am going to talking about in my speech I am going to tell you what I hope for you to learn throughout my speech. First I will tell you who my hero is , why they are my hero, what they do to deserve a title like hero, and what you can do to support all of our members of the armed forces. Without further ado

Citizenship lessons educate young people about morals and principles within society. Teaching politics in schools would also educate and inform young people about political parties’ manifestos. “Data from the 2009 International Civic and Citizenship

Many “believed that public common school would contribute to a popular civic awareness and sense of political responsibility” (Gutek, 2014). Common school private school did not serve every youth. Many could not afford private

Although many Americans attest to the validity of a sound American education, the darkest secrets of this glorified giant have yet to be revealed to the public to expose it as the greatest enemy of the rising youth in contemporary culture. Beginning with the rise of the Common Core Initiative as well as the No Child Left Behind Act; youth has been tossed into an industrialized education where the government has top priority in reformation of learning techniques while schools, who shape the students themselves, have the lowest priority. This is all possible due to the rising number of teachers heeding the “Initiative,” using invalid strategies for instruction—homework becoming the dominant source for reinforcement of fundamental concepts. The habits formed by students in high school indubitably carry over to post-secondary education; as a result, the recent graduates are unprepared for what awaits them in the next steps of rigorous education. Public American Education was founded upon fine values; however, the end results don’t justify the means of education as more and more youth are thrusted from the “Race to the Top” into a competitive “Race to Nowhere,” ill-equipped to face the real problems of the world; thus, the public education system is inadequate to bring up the future leaders of this nation.

However, the reality one faces when observing the outcome of such an initiative proves that it is not so cut and dry. Civic education in Canada has been met with a number of challenges. One primary issue is the lack of parity. As stated in Canada's Constitution Act of 1867, there is no federal department of education and no integrated national system of education. Therefore, in each province, the legislature makes education laws exclusively. They are therefore responsible for the organization, delivery and assessment of education at the elementary, secondary and even postsecondary level. Moreover, it is difficult to immediately assess the impact of civic education on voter turnout. This is mainly because the majority of students who take civic education are not yet of voting age. Therefore, the benefits of civic education can only be evaluated objectively at a later

When teaching her students about activism, Cowhey helped her students host a vote registration drive to encourage individuals from the community to register to vote. Cowhey explains the importance of encouraging students to be active in their community. Cowhey shares that activism “helps children develop a sense of social justice, a sense of fairness and equity that begins with personal and community experiences and extends globally and historically” (103). After the students finished their vote registration drive, they took a bus to the registrar’s office at City Hall to deliver the vote registration cards.

A significant decline in political participation is apparent in the younger generations of this country. As a result of this lack of involvement, the future of young Americans is jeopardized if they fail to make their voices heard and utilize the influence they have on their government. If the youth do not express their ideas and goals that should be accomplished by society, consequentially, the leaders of this country will strive for goals whose are not those of the people. According to the memorable and historical leader, Thomas Jefferson," Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone.The government was intended to serve the people. This cannot be accomplished if the people choose not to vote. However, there

By making civic competence a central aim, the curriculum can emphasize the importance of educating students who are committed to the ideas and values of democracy. An understanding of civic ideals and practices is critical to full participation in society and is an essential component of education for citizenship. For example since civic competence has to rests on the commitment to democratic values, it requires that citizens have the ability to use their knowledge about their community, nation, and world to derive solution and solve real problems.

During the panel, these individuals were asked question about a large variety of topics pertaining to diversity and the future of the country. One professor discussed the dissent from young Americans this election cycle, stating, “There are the ones who are just disgusted and don’t want to engage in politics but I think there is more of a movement on both sides to say that these are not the parties we want to see represent us and we know that the country is becoming more diverse” (Wade, 10-28-16). Voting and engaged citizenship are topics which go hand and hand. The future of the country will be shaped by the younger generation as they grow older. To be able to make a difference in world, one must be politically involved and go out to make their voice