New Jersey is on a path to mandate civic education, with pending legislation that directs all boards of education to provide study in civics in the state’s middle schools.
This initiative comes as part of a push, nationally, by politicians, teachers, parents, and, recently, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), to have students grasp a deeper understanding of their nation’s history.
The hope is they will learn civic essentials so they understand and appreciate the values and principles underlying the American system of constitutional democracy–and are prepared to actively engage as citizens in their local communities, state, and nation.
Commentary by Linda Stamato, Morristown Green, March 16, 2021