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Civic Education

An informed and involved citizens are critical to the survival of any democratic society. Texas’ own Constitution gives “the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people” as the very reason for providing for public education in the state.

“We expect immigrants to this country to pass the USCIS test in order to become citizens. Yet four out of five native-born Americans under 45 cannot fulfill this minimal condition.”
— Thomas K. Lindsay, Ph.D.

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Thomas K. Lindsay, Ph.D.

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Recommendations

  • The Texas Legislature should restore the true intent of existing law that requires, in universities and K-12 schools, the teaching of American history and government, not the weak substitute courses that have become commonplace.
  • The Legislature should also focus on strengthening civics education in every Texas secondary school.

Talking points for liberty fighters

  • In 2016, only a quarter of Americans could name the three branches of American government. Nearly a third could not name even a single branch.
  • The Legislature has set civic education as a priority for Texas schools, but testing of civic education is minimal.
  • Seventeen states require their students to take a civics test based on the U.S. citizenship test. Eight require passage for high school graduation.

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Research