[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6431]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 427--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ABOUT THE 
  IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS IN THE 
                             UNITED STATES

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 427

       Whereas civic education is essential to the preservation 
     and improvement of the constitutional government of the 
     United States;
       Whereas civic education programs foster understanding of 
     the history and principles of the constitutional government 
     of the United States, including principles that are embodied 
     in certain fundamental documents and speeches, such as the 
     Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United 
     States, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, the 
     Gettysburg Address, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ``I 
     Have a Dream'' speech;
       Whereas research shows that too few people in the United 
     States understand basic principles of the constitutional 
     government of the United States, such as the natural rights 
     set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the existence 
     and functions of the 3 branches of the Federal Government, 
     checks and balances, and other concepts fundamental to 
     informed citizenship;
       Whereas since the founding of the United States, schools in 
     the United States have had a strong civic mission to prepare 
     students to be informed, rational, humane, and involved 
     citizens who are committed to the values and principles of 
     the constitutional government of the United States;
       Whereas a free society relies on the knowledge, skills, and 
     virtue of the citizens of such society, particularly the 
     individuals elected to public office to represent such 
     citizens;
       Whereas while many institutions help to develop the 
     knowledge and skills and shape the civic character of people 
     in the United States, schools in the United States, including 
     elementary schools, bear a special and historic 
     responsibility for the development of civic competence and 
     civic responsibility of students;
       Whereas student learning is enhanced by well-designed 
     classroom civic education programs that--
       (1) incorporate instruction in government, history, law, 
     and democracy;
       (2) promote discussion of current events and controversial 
     issues;
       (3) link community service and the formal curriculum; and
       (4) encourage students to participate in simulations of 
     democratic processes; and
       Whereas research shows that the knowledge and expertise of 
     teachers are among the most important factors in increasing 
     student achievement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) civic education is essential to the well-being of the 
     constitutional government of the United States;
       (2) comprehensive and formal instruction in civics and 
     government provides students with a basis for understanding 
     the rights and responsibilities of citizens in the 
     constitutional government of the United States;
       (3) elementary and secondary schools in the United States 
     are encouraged to offer courses on history and theories of 
     the constitutional government of the United States, using 
     programs and curricula with a demonstrated effectiveness in 
     fostering civic competence, civic responsibility, and a 
     reasoned commitment to the fundamental values and principles 
     underlying the constitutional government of the United 
     States; and
       (4) all teachers of civics and government are well served 
     by having access to adequate opportunities to enrich teaching 
     through professional development programs that enhance the 
     capacity of such teachers to provide effective civic 
     education in the classroom.

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