The New Jersey Coalition to Support the Civic Mission of the Schools was organized to create public awareness and support for the civic mission of the schools through public meetings and discussions and to enhance the teaching of civics, history, economics, humanities and other social sciences. It includes educators, public policy makers and others interested in ensuring that our future generations have the necessary knowledge and interest to maintain our democratic institutions.

The problem of low voter turnout, distrust of government and lack of knowledge and interest has been well documented (See "Citizenship: A Challenge for All Generations," by the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2003). The most recent National Assessment of Education Progress indicated that one-third of high school seniors lack a basic grasp of the structure and operations of American government. Not only do our young people lack the knowledge for involvement in public affairs, they also lack the interest: 18 to 30 year-olds vote at barely half the rate of their parents (which is itself about half of those eligible to vote). Without interested citizens, democracy cannot continue.

But how do we create interested, responsible citizens? While many institutions, especially families, help to develop civic knowledge, skills and dispositions, the schools have the primary responsibility and the capacity. (See "The Civic Mission of the School," a report from the Carnegie Corporation and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 2003). The civic mission of the schools - that is, creating citizens with the knowledge, the skills and the disposition to participate in a democratic society - is the very purpose for which public schools were first established. Although this goal is often included in the mission statements of local school districts, it is getting lost in the current state and national focus on reading, writing and math. Certainly reading, writing and math are basic skills that everyone needs to master, but how can one be a responsible citizen without an understanding of history, geography, civics and economics? Most elementary students in New Jersey spend less than two hours a week on any form of social science education. School districts are eliminating social studies supervisor positions in an effort to keep taxes down. Yet, independent studies demonstrate that high quality education programs can increase the likelihood of creating informed, involved citizens.

The Civic Mission of the School report outlined six promising approaches to civic education:

• Provide instruction in U.S. government, history, law and democracy.
• Emphasize knowledge, skills and attitudes.
• Engage students in classroom discussions about current local, national and international issues that young people view as important in their lives.
• Design and implement service learning programs that enable students to connect community service and classroom learning.
• Encourage student participation in student government.
• Encourage student participation in simulations of democratic processes and procedures.

With support from the U.S. Congress, the Center for Civic Education, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Center on Congress, Congressional Conferences on Civic Education have been held in Washington, D.C. in September 2003, December 2004, September 2005, and November 2006. These events have brought together state legislators, chief state school officers, state and local boards of education members, representatives of the governors, education professionals at all levels and civic educators to discuss the critical role civic education plays in fostering civic engagement as well to explore the current status of civic education. Each state is now working on a local effort because, consistent with historical local control of education, most decisions are made at the local school district and state level.

The New Jersey Coalition to Support the Civic Mission of the Schools, led by NJ Center for Civic and Law-Related Education director Arlene Gardner, was formed in March 2004. (For a statement of the mission of the Coalition, click here.) An Inventory of Civic Education in fall 2004 indicated that only 39% of New Jersey school districts require all of their students to take a civics course. What about the other 61%? The coalition identified promising civic education practices and programs, and sponsored statewide forums on civic education in 2005 and 2006 that identified future research and policies that will support the civic mission of the schools.

In May 2008, a letter was sent to the New Jersey State Board of Education urging it to include a semester of civics as a part of the high school graduation requirements. Visit the Take Action Now! to learn about details from the report of the New Jersey High School Redesign Steering Committee and its recommendations on high school graduation requirements, including a recommendation for a required semester of economics.

To be a part of this growing movement toward a comprehensive and effective approach to the civic education of students in New Jersey, join our mailing list or contact our office at 732-445-3413 or at civiced@njclre.rutgers.edu.