What are they teaching in civics classes these days?

Do you think they’ll discuss all these issues in school?

I have no idea. But I do remember civics class teaching about such things as the three branches of government, the checks and balances, the duties of office, the right to vote, and the rule of the majority alongside the rights of the minority. Those are not matters of politics; that is, you can talk about them in terms of structure and process—our system of government—without discussing individuals or parties. I’m wondering how it’s done today, and how teachers are handling students’ questions about current-day departures from norm and convention.

Maybe some younger members can tell us how the subject was taught during their recent school days.

I just glanced at your detail but stopped at ”How are teachers handling issues such as the demolition of our system of checks and balances and the hijacking of patriotism? This includes the debasement of the executive branch, the prostration of the legislative, and now the degradation of the judiciary. Not to mention the demoralization of the electorate and the fracturing of social bonds.
As teachers it is not our job to express our opinions and especially NOT to incite the children to our way if thinking.
It’s tricky. If I were teaching civics I’d teach what our structure was meant to do. If the kids picked up on the fact it ain’t workin…it’s open discussion time. With me as moderator.

I had a class in school in which we discussed current events, I don’t remember if it was in civics class.

When I was taught about the American government it was a lesson on the basic structure of government, and why and how it was designed.

In school I never was aware of my teachers’ political leanings. To their credit.

A friend of mine about 15 years ago told me one of the classrooms in a school she visited (she sold software to schools in Michigan) has vote for Bush all over the classroom. How the heck does that happen in a public school?

I’m 50, so my answer doesn’t answer your question. I’ll be following though.

When I worked in an After School Activities program, when school-age children asked me about societal views, moral issues, religion, or politics, and/or when I pastored a church in Cherokee, Alabama, I would try to answer questions and represent views fairly and as accurately as possible.

When children really wanted to know my personal views, I would tell them. But I would clarify that they may have their own views or positions, or would someday have their own position, or others they know might—but it was not my place to influence them or persuade them. I would tell them that I was just an Afterschool Activities counselor or, in my role as a church pastor, I would only teach the Bible, religion and ethics, the human condition, etc etc.

With all due respect to you, @Jeruba the way your question is poised, it would be very unethical for a teacher of high school or elementary school children in a civics or government class to influence children or students that way. I supposed you could in a university where the students are supposedly adults, as long as they are still encouraged to think for themselves.

@Yellowdog Do you believe most teachers do as you did? Tried to not influence kids one way or the other on religion and politics? I think the majority of teachers are careful to stick to this code, I never knew the politics of a teacher, and if I knew a teachers religion, still their religious belief were never discussed.

So, here comes my question. You usually are on the conservative side of things politically, with some exceptions, and I want to know do you, like many other conservatives, believe that the public school system is some sort of left wing liberal brainwashing? Maybe don’t answer before @Jeruba says it’s ok. Maybe this is too far off topic. I think it relates to what kids are hearing about politics today in school though.

Imagine an evening with Jeruba.

You look to light up a metaphoric afterglow and instead your conscience is energised.

Curioser still, half the populations in any “democracy” vote for the right wing.

Civics classes teach us how to use the word democracy without having to put it in inverted commas.

It’s my impression that it isn’t taught as “civics” per se in most schools these days. I think American history (or a bowdlerized version of it) is taught in most schools.

@JLeslie I was not a public school teacher—just teaching staff in an afterschool activities program. Most of the people I worked with would either NOT give any viewpoint, or would state theirs but not be dogmatic of others. In the Public School system the teachers would be more likely to advocate a liberal position, most religious schools would lean conservative—but I suspect all would try to be neutral with children and young teenagers. If nothing else, they are supposed to respect the child’s family’s wishes.

No. We were strictly forbidden to discuss our personal political OR religious leanings. It isn’t our job…and it could open the door for lawsuits.
But, having said that, there are subtle ways to influence the kids. As a teacher you have to be fully cognizant of what you’re saying and how it can be perceived…and try to avoid it.
Although, I once organized a very quiet protest among my 5th graders one recess. But you couldn’t tie me directly to it!

Thanks for all comments and responses.

Permit me to restate my question in simple language. I’m aware that I laced it heavily with my own opinion. But there’s still a straightforward question there:

What is being taught to students in civics classes in the U.S. at present?

This is a question about content of the curriculum, not about your political opinions or mine. Quaint as it may seem, I was looking for facts.

I happen to think that what the young people are being told in an educational setting is important to all of us. So I would like to know what that is with regard to the subject matter we label “civics.” Two definitions:

“Civics is the branch of political science that deals with duties and rights of citizenship; academically, it often includes government studies, so students can learn how our political and economic systems are supposed to work and what their rights and responsibilities are as citizens.” source

“Civics is the study of the theoretical, political and practical aspects of citizenship, as well as its rights and duties; the duties of citizens to each other as members of a political body and to the government.” source

I would imagine they are teaching the same things they’ve always taught. How they teach it will vary from teacher to teacher.

I can imagine too. I’m asking what is the case.

I have absolutely no way of answering your question because I haven’t sat in on a civics curriculum in decades.
However, perhaps a download like this may help. It can give you an idea of lesson plans teachers may use.

@Yellowdog I don’t know why people think public school teachers are more likely to be liberal. I think that’s not true. I think teachers go where they can get a job. I don’t want to derail with this though. I’m going to try to google search it.

@Jeruba We need some young jellies to answer, we are all too old. Maybe Mariah? Unless you want jellies in school right now during Trump specifically.

Yes, download the like to the lesson plans in the source I provided. It will give you an idea of what is covered. Lots and lots and lots of stuff.

I took my high school “Government” class in 2008–2009. It was a simpler time of recession and Sarah Palin jokes. I don’t remember anything being talked about that wasn’t neutral. I do remember people presenting pro and con speeches on certain issues (that were assigned to them) and I remember we would discuss political news at the beginning of every class. But the message of the class was this is how it is, not this is how it should be.

Thank you @Demosthenes. Perfect.

I don’t think there was any coverage of the Vietnam War when I went to high school (Sept 62-June 65), whereas it is part of the course now.

I base that on my own experience and a discussion I had with a young Bernie supporter who is from Minnesota, and was taught about it when he went to school.

When I went to school, it was called Social Studies.

@Dutchess_III

What did they call it when you taught?

@JLeslie, yes, that’s exactly what I said:

If you have kids who are taking or have recently taken civics in school…

Maybe some younger members can tell us how the subject was taught during their recent school days.

Thank you for stressing this point, which I meant to imply with the words “these days.”

@Jeruba You indeed did make it clear. You know us jellies just start babbling.

I can ask on my Facebook for you.

I remember “civics” from Jr. High, I think they called it “government” in high school. I will check with my class mates, @Brian1946.

@Jeruba, did you see where @Demosthenes answered you up there?

@Yellowdog suggested that teachers tend to be more liberal. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit, and that may well be true. Teaching is not very rewarding in many ways. In many ways it’s a labor of love. We tend to have more compassion, are more willing to reach out with little in return, and teaching is a good way to do that.

Some answers:

I started substituting this year, only middle and high school. I’ve been left material about voting, political parties and the the Supreme Court nomination… very intense for me. The magazine “Upfront” is being used a lot in schools.

Another answer:

Based on what my boys tell me and what my 8th graders teacher says they can’t teach anything not on the test because there isn’t enough time also anything controversial is not allowed so not to offend anyone if they would be more concerned with teaching instead of who’s going to finance my campaign my boys would have a better education. I am not blaming the teachers I blame the ones that force this on them and the students.

I asked that first person what she found to be so intense about it. Was it just because she wasn’t really familiar with the process, and now she’s in a position to teach it? That can be pretty intense!
Upfront is put out by Scholastic News.

I finally saw the comment where the guy said “if they would be more concerned with teaching instead of who’s going to finance my campaign my boys would have a better education.”
I asked him what campaign? Whose campaign?

Re ^^^^ he was referring to those in charge of telling teachers what they have to teach.

Another:

I discuss current events with my 8th grade students. They are very interested in what is happening, especially with Donald Trump. Most of them do not like him. I was surprised by how much many of my students were at least somewhat familiar with the Kavanaugh situation.

We teachers aren’t allowed to share our political opinions. I do tell my students that we are living in pretty tumultuous times and they should be paying attention to what is going on.

Sounds about right. ^^^^

@Jeruba, is this helping to answer the questions you have?

The big thing to know is that kids hear about stuff out on the streets, and they bring them into the classroom and share with other kids. It’s not all learned in the classroom.
Yesterday I was a assigned to my first classroom, middle school, in about 15 years. At one point this one very talkative, very inquisitive class wanted to know if I was an immigrant because my last name sounded funny. LOL!