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OPINION: During civic learning week, let’s push for national progress toward a more perfect union

The Hechinger Report

National pride in America is at a record low, coinciding with desperately low scores on the nations civics report card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This week is National Civic Learning Week , when thousands of Americans will demonstrate just how we can do this. Related: Become a lifelong learner.

Civics 69
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Teaching ‘action civics’ engages kids — and ignites controversy

The Hechinger Report

Peyton’s testimony is an example of “action civics,” a growing, if controversial, trend in American education of which Massachusetts is the undisputed leader. They liken it to a laboratory in science class, where students learn civics by doing civics. Credit: Christopher Blanchette.

educators

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Forget civics class: Students want to make a difference in real life

The Hechinger Report

Some school districts, local governments and nonprofit groups across the country have galvanized this youth activism by giving students opportunities to participate in leadership roles and democracy in ways that go beyond civics classes and student government. Related: Making America whole again via civics education.

Civics 143
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Member Spotlight: Samantha Chapa, University of Houston

Political Science Now

Samantha’s dissertation focuses on the impacts of urban immigrant inclusion policies on the participation and civic engagement of immigrant and minoritized communities. Welcoming policies and city-level advocacy like this are the focus of my current research agenda. Other current projects also stem from my work at BakerRipley.

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A shocking number of young people can’t separate fact from fiction online

The Hechinger Report

The study, Evaluating Information: The Cornerstone of Civic Online Reasoning , was produced by researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. At present, we worry that democracy is threatened by the ease at which disinformation about civic issues is allowed to spread and flourish.”.

Civics 112
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OPINION: Educators must be on the frontline of social activism

The Hechinger Report

I taught my students to respect the power of civic engagement and social activism. We must do this through teaching, learning and advocacy — as well as social activism and civic engagement. Recent politics has made it hard to extend that work. I have trained in, taught and led educator preparation programs.

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Do Alternatives to Public School Have to Be Political?

ED Surge

But just before the pandemic, she says she was approached by FreedomWorks, an advocacy group funded by the Koch brothers, big political donors, and associated with the “tea party” movement in favor of libertarian ideas. McCoy says he prizes them primarily for instilling moral and civic virtues in students.