Civics 101: The Supreme Court vs. American Idol

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It is frustrating when you have to fit in civics lessons between the calendar of what your students should learn, and how long it takes for each topic. I try to teach about government and civics twice a year. Both national, state, & local.

S. Wengert of FL 5:23PM June 23, 2010

Education is no longer the priority in our schools. Teaching how to pass a test has become the priority.
As a nation we have accepted mediocrity in the education system instead of promoting what kids are capable of accomplishing when expected to excel

Deb M of AZ 12:33PM April 23, 2010

Did you ever go to a tea party, Stephen? Or are you just going on "misinformation, ignorance and hate"?

Jill of CA 7:00PM April 14, 2010

No suprise, if your teacher taught you how to have sex there are more issues than civics.

joslin of KS 12:56PM April 14, 2010

Civics and government ed taught
In public schools is hazardous,
Because most teachers there are fraught
With teaching skills most outragious.
Make use of the Web and T.V.
To produce kids' programs both fun
And with true objectivity -
No slant agendas to be spun.
If such programs are really max,
Kids will flock to them on their own,
Where they can have good fun with facts,
And become more citizen prone.
Unlearned adults - are there no hopes?
Pay the kids to teach the old dopes.

Ima Ryma of IL 4:48AM April 14, 2010

Civility and knowledge about civics are almost entirely absent from all the Tea Party whining. Misinformation, ignorance, and hate are the bread and butter at these rallies. Its hard to tell anything to the older bigots, but the next generation might be able to overcome the ignorant groundswell.
Good Luck Alan Simpson, trying to convince everyone the responsible thing to do is to raise taxes now before we leave all our massive debt to our kids. How come we haven't had a 'debt commission' for the past decade with little Georgie running hogwild with our credit card.

Stephen of IL 4:40PM April 13, 2010

Its no suprise, the liberals would have it more important to teach 5th graders how to install condoms....how to have homosexual sex than teach civics !!!

jerrbarn of LA 3:19PM April 13, 2010

Excellent site - thanks Mary Kate.
http://www.ourcourts.org/

John of NE 2:16PM April 13, 2010

That many young people are proud of their sloth and ignorance - lazy and stupid are cool. The students who do go on to higher education usually find themselves in an Orwellian, progressive, leftist environment, and end up more indoctrinated than educated.
I don't find either group terribly appealing.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 12:49PM April 13, 2010