Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1026

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

expressing a commitment to the promotion of civics education in Arizona schools.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, in 2014, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics in the United States Department of Education, found that only 23% of eighth graders performed at or above the proficient level in civics; and

Whereas, a 2014 survey of 1,416 adults conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania (Annenberg survey) found that only 36% of respondents could name all three branches of government and that 35% of respondents could not name a single one; and

Whereas, the Annenberg survey also found that only 27% of Americans know that it takes a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to override a presidential veto, that 21% of Americans incorrectly think that a 5-4 Supreme Court decision is sent back to Congress for reconsideration and that more than half of Americans do not know which party controls the House and Senate; and

Whereas, in the words of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, "[t]he practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool.  It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens"; and

Whereas, the lack of an educational foundation regarding the fundamentals of the democracy established by this country's founders and defended by generations of American soldiers increases the potential for incivility and threatens the sustainability of the American Democracy; and

Whereas, civics education produces an enlightened citizenry through increased knowledge of this nation's form and execution of government along with its historical significance as a protector of civility and freedom; and

Whereas, there are a number of civics education programs that are free and available for use in the Arizona K-12 public school system; and

Whereas, affording Arizona students a proper and thorough civics education using contemporary teaching and learning methods is vital to ensuring the success of this great nation.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature express a continuing commitment to the promotion of civics education in Arizona schools.