An Up-date on the State of Civic Education in American Schools
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge chapter delegates from across the nation met last week in Valley Forge, PA, to obtain current practices up-dates. While in the area, they visited surrounding historic sites and solidified their dedication to fostering civics education. The Pensacola Chapter received the Chapter of the Year in the Small Chapter Division during the annual awards presentations.
“The resurgence of national pride,” President Ronald Reagan warned, “won’t count for much, and it won’t last, unless it’s grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge. But now … well-grounded patriotism is no longer the style. … We’ve got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare. It’s fragile; it needs protection.So, we’ve got to teach history based not on what’s in fashion but what’s important … If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are. I’m warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result … in an erosion of the American spirit.”[1]
National Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge President and CEO, David Harmer, shared President Reagan’s farewell statement in his ‘state of civics education’ presentation. He then asked how were we doing? To help us bring our organizations’s mission in focus, he answered with the following facts from The Nations Report Card. In NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests on civics testing 4th, 8th, and 12th graders, only 27, 23, & 24% of students were proficient in civics. Only 12% of graduating high school seniors were proficient in American history [2] Only ⅓ of American citizens can answer the questions on the American Citizenship test. This test has a passing score of 60%.[3]
“Freedom is jeopardized today more than ever before. There is a current void in worthy disciples of patriotism,” he said. “True friends of freedom always have been few. The need for students to be immersed in history and civics makes it real – and that’s why Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge exists.”
Goals of Freedoms Foundation
Throughout the school year, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge brings students from around the country to our 75-acre campus for immersive, intensive, multi-day educational experiences. They include history, ideals, and continuing relevance of the American Founding. Throughout the summer we do the same for teachers. We provide college-accredited, graduate-level, professional-development courses exploring the founding ideals as manifest throughout American history.
This year, 440 teachers will be not merely informed, but transformed. They will return to their classrooms reinvigorated with a profound appreciation of American history, entrepreneurship, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. They will also better understand the link between character and freedom.
Pensacola Chapter
The Pensacola Chapter of Freedoms Foundation provides scholarships for local high school junior and sophomore American history students to attend the annual Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference. The organization also helps underwrite teachers’ participation in continuing education programs and honors local citizens for their civic activities.
Spirit of America is a four-day residential program for high school students interested in cultivating a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Deadline for student applications is December 20, 2019. For additional information visit FreedomsFoundationPensacola.org.
Our mission is to inspire informed patriotism and responsible citizenship in the next generation.
[1] https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/011189i
[2]https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/
[3] https://woodrow.org/news/national-survey-finds-just-1-in-3-americans-would-pass-citizenship-test/
