The US Senate re-introduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act on June 14. This bill would spend $1 billion annually for five years investing in civic education. All students have the right to an education that prepares them to participate effectively in our government. The League supports bringing the Civics Secures Democracy Act for debate and passage to promote an informed citizenship via K-12 education nationwide.
June 15, 2022
Members of the US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Sent via electronic mail
Dear Senators:
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) urges you to support the bipartisan Senate bill S. 879, the Civics Secures Democracy Act, as a tool to invest in American students’ civics education.
The League is a century-seasoned, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to protecting every person’s freedom to vote. We are a grassroots group comprised of more than 500,000 members and supporters across 750+ local and state Leagues nationwide. The League focuses on advocacy, education, litigation, and organizing to achieve our mission to empower voters and defend democracy.
We applaud the reintroduction of this bipartisan bill as it complements our vision of a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. The League values equipping future generations to inherit and lead a healthy American democracy.
Civic education has historically been undervalued. The Federal Government spends $50 per year per student on STEM education while spending only five cents per year per student on civics education.
At its core, the Civics Secures Democracy Act finds common ground on an issue of utmost importance: strengthening K-12 civic education. This bipartisan collaboration is an investment through teacher training, curriculum planning, and community collaboration to strengthen our democracy, starting at the local level. It would spend $1 billion annually for five years investing in civic education at the local level, research and data collection around civic learning, fortifying teacher education, and diversifying the teacher pool.
Comprehensive civic education is necessary to strengthen our democracy and protect it from attacks that have sought to undermine our elections with misinformation. An informed and civically knowledgeable citizenship can withstand attempts to divide us and confidently lead the future of our nation. It is the responsibility of our legislators and local education departments to ensure that future generations will understand the workings of our country’s government and its history. Providing civic education in schools at all levels is vitally important to fulfilling our obligation as a country to secure our democracy.
All students have the right to an education that prepares them to participate effectively in our government. The League supports bringing the Civics Secures Democracy Act for debate and passage to promote an informed citizenship via K-12 education nationwide.
Sincerely,
Virginia Kase Solomón
CEO
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PROVIDENCE — Last week, litigation filed by Rhode Island students seeking to establish a constitutional right to a civics education ended with an agreement that both sides agree will strengthen civics education in the state. The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island filed an amicus brief in the case — Cook v. McKee — highlighting the powerful connection between civics education and voter participation.
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