It’s Civic Learning Week. What are you doing to be a better citizen? | Opinion
A just government requires the consent of the governed. This concept, which anchors the founding of our country, is only truly possible when residents are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that shape their community. To engage meaningfully, we need a renewed commitment to civics education. That’s why, all across the country, a cohort of organizations are celebrating Civic Learning Week to emphasize the importance of civic learning in strengthening our democracy.
Civic learning is critical for creating informed and engaged communities filled with residents who know how to participate in civic life effectively. It helps individuals understand the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship and the structures and functions of government. It’s how we ensure that our representatives reflect our communities and how we learn to practice the idea at the core of our Democratic Republic: self-governance.
I hear it constantly: “we just don’t teach civics anymore.” While this is untrue — thanks to Kentucky’s robust state social studies standards, all Fayette County Public School students must participate in a civics class taught in their Freshman or Senior years — there is something to the sentiment. Investment and time for students in social studies courses often take a backseat to more “marketable” skills in STEM education. Nationally, we spend a paltry $.05 on social studies for every $50 on STEM education.
To sustain our democracy we must invest meaningfully in civic education for young people. It is crucial for developing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens. There is countless evidence about the postsecondary outcomes of civics education. But civic learning shouldn’t be siloed to one individual class, nor should it stop once you leave the classroom—continued adult civic learning is equally important.
Our communities are changing rapidly. Our city, state, and nation’s social, political, and economic contexts are vastly different than they were even when I was in high school in the early 2000s. How can we expect people to understand and productively engage with these changes if we don’t provide opportunities for them to continue learning throughout their life?
At CivicLex, we offer people of all ages the opportunity to learn more about local civic life. We produce workshops and events that cover the complicated and timely issues that shape our city and give residents a chance to process them together. Through these events and workshops, we provide people with the resources and information they need to get engaged in local government — regardless of where they stand on any issue or where their political alignment falls.
We’ve seen the positive results of investing in lifelong civic learning firsthand. When people learn about local civic life as adults, they engage in meaningful conversations and develop informed opinions about complex issues by hearing from others. They meet their neighbors, make new friends, and gain a deeper sense of civic pride and responsibility. They start attending public meetings, commenting in council and city meetings, or volunteering with causes important to them. Lifelong civic learning allows adults to become more effective community leaders with integrity, empathy, and a sense of civic duty.
But most of all, lifelong civic learning allows us to lead more fulfilling lives. When we learn about others’ perspectives and experiences, engage in civil dialogue, and step out of our comfort zones, we can expand our horizons, build a sense of purpose, and find meaning in our lives. Lexington has always had deep civic pride — and it’s getting noticed. Just months ago, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, originally founded by Founders John Adams and John Hancock, invited Lexington to become the nation’s first Our Common Purpose community. As part of this commitment, the City of Lexington will build new ways for the public to engage in local government and will support the growth of civic education opportunities for residents of all ages. We are on our way to making Lexington, Kentucky, a model of what an informed and engaged community should look like.
This Civic Learning Week, no matter your age, I encourage you to take a moment to learn something new about our community and become engaged in the decisions that shape it. Talk to your neighbors about the issues in your community, reach out to your council member or attend a city meeting, read up on history or current events by subscribing to your local newspaper. How will you participate in civic learning this week?
Richard Young is the executive director of CivicLex.