Do you know the 3 branches of US government? Many don't, leading to a push for civics education
apnews.com
Many people think it's time for a new push for civics instruction in college. A recent survey shows a third of people can't name the three branches of government.

On the first day of his American National Government class, Prof. Kevin Dopf asks how many of his students are United States citizens. Every hand shoots up.

“So, how did all you people become citizens?” he asks. “Did you pass a test?”

“No,” one young woman says tentatively. “We were born here.”

It’s a good thing. Based on his years of making his students at the University of South Carolina Beaufort take the test given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, most would be rejected.

Most states require some sort of high school civics instruction. But with surveys showing that a third of American adults can’t name the three branches of the federal government, and one in which 10% of college graduates think Judith Sheindlin – TV’s “Judge Judy” – serves on the U.S. Supreme Court, many think we should be aiming higher.

    • FireTower@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 months ago

      Last year, North Carolina Republicans introduced the REACH Act, an acronym for “Reclaiming College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage.” The bill required undergraduates to take at least three credit hours in American government and read a series of major U.S. history documents, from the Declaration of Independence to Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” They would also have to pass a final exam worth 20% of the final grade.

      Per the article

      • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        1·
        3 months ago

        That’s cool and all, but these people do know the government controls k-12 public schools right?

        Kids should know this shit long before college… And what about everyone who doesn’t go to college? They should just go fuck themselves I guess?

        Teach this shit in middle school/high school.