Dewan: Civic education in schools and our community

As the results of the 2024 elections are certified, analysts will look at voter participation rates among all age groups and evaluate voter turnout.

Likely, low overall voter turnout will be a topic of conversation as we all wrestle with how to engage more people in our democratic elections. Already, election results have caused community leaders to discuss the need and value of civic education and encourage actions to promote civic education in schools.

I have long understood that education is a cornerstone of our democracy. As a longtime public educator and community leader, I have observed firsthand the importance of civic education for our youth, families and community. There is a role for everyone interested in our democracy and good government to promote civic learning and engagement, especially for our young people.

While the election results are prompting these calls to action, civic education is far more than teaching about elections and voter participation. It is a fundamental component of our democracy to understand elections and exercise our right to vote. However, voter education alone is insufficient.

Teaching residents about their rights, responsibilities, how to participate in a democratic society inclusive of voter education and how local and state governments work should be our goal.

The aim of civic education in schools is to prepare students to be active citizens and understand their role in democracy throughout their schooling. Taking a course at certain grade levels is one way youth learn about government. Yet, civic education is intended to be interwoven throughout the curriculum and embedded in the culture and learning environment of the school far beyond a specific course.

Civic education helps students learn about history, values and ideals, and how to engage in community, government and education. It guides young people to develop an understanding of the world around them while considering a variety of perspectives and to see its complexity with a sense of hope and purpose.

Students learn how to engage in the democratic process, support candidates and policies, participate in civic-minded activities such as service learning and take actions to be good neighbors. Quality civic education includes the development of critical thinking skills. Young people at all grade levels are taught to think analytically and rationally, solve problems and make life decisions.

There are many efforts, initiatives, projects and partnerships that lift up civic education for children and adults, and at the local, national and international level. CivxNow, a project of iCivics, is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing civic learning for young people. This coalition of academic and research institutions, learning providers and philanthropic organizations emphasizes that civic education must include a focus on civic knowledge and skills, civic values and dispositions and civic behaviors. They created resources for educators, educational leaders and community-based organizations to incorporate civics learning into instruction and programming.

Here is the resource guide.

Our democracy is about more than elections. Our democracy is dependent upon a shared understanding of the processes of government and knowing about our civic and constitutionally established institutions and rights. It is about the appreciation and practice of civil discourse, free speech and engaging with those whose perspectives differ from their own with respect  and a willingness to work together. It is about each of us having the agency and confidence to  serve the public, volunteer, attend public meetings, engage with our communities and vote.

Civic education is essential to our democracy.

San José Spotlight columnist Mary Ann Dewan has more than 33 years of experience in the field of education. Her columns appear every third Monday of the month.