[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF CIVICS LEARNING ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Civics 
Learning Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill that focuses on increasing 
civic participation by ensuring that young people in our country 
receive a strong civics education.
  It might surprise you to learn that, according to the Annenberg 
Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, in 2018 only 32 
percent of Americans surveyed were capable of naming all three branches 
of government. Only 30 percent of Americans surveyed knew that the 
Senate is in charge of confirming Supreme Court nominees. In 2017, only 
37 percent of Americans surveyed could name any of the rights 
guaranteed under the First Amendment. In 2014, only 23 percent of 
eighth graders performed at or above the proficient level on the 
National Assessment of Educational Progress civics exam. This startling 
reality makes it clear that civics education in this country is in need 
of renewed focus.
  Madam Speaker, the Civics Learning Act of 2019 promotes new and 
existing evidence-based strategies to strengthen and prioritize 
innovative civics learning and teaching by encouraging innovative 
American history, civics and government, and geography instruction. 
Professional development activities, programing, and learning 
strategies would also be available to prepare teachers, principals, and 
other school leaders. Such instruction and programing would 
particularly benefit low-income students and underserved populations 
including students and teachers at high-need schools and low-access 
areas such as rural or inner-city communities. Recognizing that most 
civics programs focus on high school teachers and students, this bill 
would ensure funding for elementary, middle, and high school programs 
in order to create a lasting foundation for civic knowledge.
  Madam Speaker, it is my sincere hope this body will expeditiously 
pass this measure. Doing so will reaffirm America's commitment to 
civics education, fostering a more informed citizenship that will only 
strengthen our democracy.

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