Key Takeaways:
- Civic education involves the study of the government and its functions at all levels (national, state and local) in order to cultivate civically engaged citizens.
- Civic Education is important because it equips Americans with the knowledge and skills to analyze the democracy that they live under
- Civic Learning Week, established by iCivics, encourages students and young adults to engage in civic activities across the nation as a means of understanding democracy and civic duties
- Young adults can get themselves involved with civic learning through researching, volunteering throughout their communities, and engaging with organizations like ACE that provide resources to read and learn about civics
What is Civic Education?
Civic education is a term used to describe the study of how everyday citizens engage with the government at the local, state, and national levels. In other words, civic education teaches learners how they can get involved within their own democracy. Civic education trainings teach people to understand the structure of their government at all levels as well as the legislative processes that occur within them. The idea behind civic education is that people can assume their civic responsibilities like voting only once they have been thoroughly informed.
Civic education training teaches all kinds of skills, including how to research political topics, how to get registered to vote, and how to get involved in local communities through volunteering or even running for office. It should be noted that civic education is not limited to the standard classroom and instead can be shared through social media and community-based organizations.
Overall, civic education’s goal is to teach people the relationship between citizens and the government and to cultivate citizenship that can strengthen community.
Why is Civic Education Important?
Civic education is valuable as it works to ensure a democracy functions as it is equipped to. A democracy needs citizens who are able to make well informed decisions and participate in civic activities such as policymaking. Moreover, citizens who have gone through civic education understand more clearly their civic responsibilities of obeying the law, voting, and analyzing their representatives’ policy decisions. Civic education upholds accountability for both citizens and elected officials which in turn works to ensure democracy works properly.
Civic education is especially important as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. Civic education can help to fight off what some recognize to be a rise is authoritarianism throughout democracies worldwide. In a time of increasing political polarization within the U.S.,civic education encourages open dialogue and healthy debate among citizens who hold differing political views.
It is deeply important that young adults remain involved with civic education beyond formal education so that they can become active citizens and remain as such for the rest of their lives. Participation in civic education as a young adult sets one up to be comfortable actively engaging in civic activities such as policymaking, being a part of the electorate, and contributing to a community. These actions can continue into adulthood and will allow citizens to avoid passively engaging with their government bodies.
What is Civic Learning Week?
Civic Learning Week was established in 2023 by iCivics, a nonpartisan organization that aims to promote civic education across the country. This year, Civic Learning Week is taking place from March 9th to March 13th and is celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday. As the Declaration of Independence turns 250 years old, challenges to constitutional democracy are ever-present, including an increasing political divide, rapid technological advancements, and discrepancies in equal access to civic education. With this, it is more important than ever to understand how to engage with our system of self-governance and further strengthen our constitutional democracy.
Civic Learning Week makes civic learning a national priority by providing educational opportunities across the country. Kickstarting the week is the Civic Learning National Forum, occurring March 9th and 10th, which details the many mediums and methods necessary to promote civic engagement across the nation. In addition to the National Forum, states across the country are partnering with organizations to host events that bring together students, educators, and future leaders. Events range from online workshops for all audiences, history lessons, and interactive panels. A comprehensive list of all Civic Learning Week events can be found at civiclearningweek.org/events.
How Can Young Adults Gain Civic Education?
For young adults, civic engagement can be especially intimidating as they transition to independence and enter a period of life with increased political responsibility. However, beyond Civic Learning Week lie many opportunities to participate in civic education. The Alliance for Civic Engagement (ACE), is one resource that promotes nonpartisan research and encourages youth participation in politics. Organizations such as ACE help provide accessible information and opportunities for individuals who want to become more informed citizens.
Civic engagement can take many forms. Learning about civics and being involved with your community are ways to start. Activities such as attending community meetings or volunteering with local organizations that align with your values can be initial opportunities to address issues within your community. Knowledge is also an important stepping stone to participating in civic engagement. By developing a stronger understanding of how our government works and how policies affect communities, individuals can make informed decisions to responsibly participate in our democratic society. Finally, learning how to research diverse perspectives on various global issues is another essential step in civic engagement, as individuals can develop their critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues that affect the world.
Conclusion
Civic Learning Week highlights the importance of our constitutional democracy and political participation across the country. By encouraging people of all ages to learn about government, history, and democratic values, initiatives like Civic Learning Week combat political polarization to create a more informed and engaged public. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, practicing civic engagement is especially relevant today and allows us to continue supporting a resilient constitutional democracy for the years to come.