Committee approves adding the civics curriculum

By: 
Dana Hess, Community News Service
PIERRE — Representatives from schools pushed back on the notion Jan. 22 that more and better civics education is needed in South Dakota.
At issue before the Senate Education Committee was SB52, a bill to add a half credit of civics to the state’s curriculum standards.
Gov. Kristi Noem made increasing civics education one of her campaign themes, but Sen. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, said he was interested in the subject long before Noem was nominated.
“I have been concerned about our lack of civics education in South Dakota,” said Bolin, a retired educator. “I think we should have it as a mandatory class.”
Bolin said the bill offers school districts time to adjust to the addition as it will not go into effect until 2022.
Speaking in favor of the bill was Ben Jones, interim secretary of the S.D. Department of Education. He called the lack of understanding of civics “a quiet, yet national crisis.”
Rob Monson, executive director of the School Administrators of South Dakota, said there were no facts offered about the need for the extra half credit of civics.
“I don’t believe we can legislate our way to more involved citizens,” Monson said.
Committee members got a lesson in South Dakota curriculum from Wade Pogany, executive director of the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. He said civics education starts in kindergarten and goes through senior high.
“Every single grade has numerous civics standards,” Pogany said. “It’s not that we begin teaching civics in high school.”
In addition to championing civics education, Gov. Noem has also called for linking high school graduation to the successful completion of the test taken by immigrants who want to be U.S. citizens.
“Our kids should do very well on that particular test,” Pogany said. “We already teach civics education. I think we do it very well.”
Bolin countered that the bill would bolster civic involvement while only causing “minor disruption” in the curriculum process.
Jones, the interim education secretary, said there is plenty of national evidence to suggest that students need more civics education. He noted one study that said “only 13 percent (of students) have the civics knowledge they need to be a citizen. There’s plenty of evidence that this is a problem.”
Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, said that the Legislature shouldn’t be taking on the responsibility for setting curriculum.
“We don’t do this. This is not our role,” Heinert said. “The Legislature does not do this, nor should it.”
Sen. Blake Curd, R-Sioux Falls, said he would vote to send the bill to the full Senate only because it merits debate on the Senate floor. He said he would likely vote against it there.
The bill passed out of committee on a 4-2 vote with Heinert and Sen. V.J. Smith, R-Brookings, dissenting.

 

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