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Letter to the editor

Civics lesson: Fund civics

By A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published June 10, 2007

During its regular session, the Legislature appropriated $1.5-million toward funding a much-needed civics education initiative that was designed to help turn Florida students into informed citizens, the backbone of a vital democracy. But there was a glitch. Lawmakers failed to pass authorizing legislation that would have allowed the money's release. Gov. Charlie Crist should expand the call of the upcoming special legislative session to correct this oversight. There is no reason to wait another year before making civics education a priority in our schools.

A bipartisan push by former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey to put new emphasis on civics in our state is an effort to be lauded and supported. The level of ignorance of Floridians about the most basic aspects of our democracy is startling. A 2005 Florida Bar poll found that more than 40 percent of the state's residents could not name the three branches of government. No doubt, a glaring gap exists in our education system.

The legislation that Graham and Frey propose for the special session would make civics a core component of the Sunshine State Standards in Social Studies. The initial $1.5-million outlay is designated to go toward the development of new curriculum.

The special session was called to resolve the issue of property taxes, and there shouldn't be many other diversions. Even so, the Legislature recognized the value of the Graham-Frey initiative by putting substantial state money behind it. Passing legislation that would allow it to get going would just be tying up a loose end.

[Last modified June 9, 2007, 19:52:53]