We urge the New Jersey State Board of Education to ensure that all students are well-grounded in civics
By Anne Maiese, President, League of Women Voters of New Jersey
The High School Redesign proposal before the New Jersey State Board of Education will make significant changes to New Jersey secondary education. However, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey (LWVNJ) is concerned about the lack of emphasis that civics is receiving in the High School Redesign proposal. A core principle of the LWVNJ is that a representative democracy depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens. A strong background in civics is essential to producing these citizens. In the plan, civics is part of a 3.5 year requirement in Social Studies which also includes U.S. history, geography and .5 years of economics, but it is not scheduled to be phased in until 2010-2011.
Whether civics is a stand-alone course or integrated into the social studies curricula, it is clear that more time and attention must be paid to this important topic. Even though civics requirements exist for all grade levels, students have inadequate knowledge and understanding of civics.
Experience with the “No Child Left Behind” program has shown that what is not tested is not taught, and we fear that the proposed testing in the High School Redesign will reduce the time spent and emphasis given to civics, at a time when schools should be doing even more to promote civics education. Creating high stakes tests for some subjects which determine if students will graduate will either push other content such as civics out of the picture or relegate it to a checklist of hastily and superficially covered items.
Our schools should produce citizens who “understand and appreciate the values and principles of American democracy and the rights, responsibilities, and roles of a citizen in the nation and the world.” This is the goal set by the NJ Core Curriculum Requirements for high school, and it is one currently not being met.
We urge the New Jersey State Board of Education to ensure that all students are well-grounded in civics by increasing the emphasis and improving the delivery of civics education. We need citizens who can help govern their communities, state and country.
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey is a non-partisan political organization, founded in April 1920 as a successor to the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association. Today the League encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

