III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 427 

Expressing the sense of the Senate about the importance of effective civic 

education programs in schools in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 29, 2014 

Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. GRASSLEY) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate about the importance 

of effective civic education programs in schools in the 

United States. 

Whereas civic education is essential to the preservation and 

improvement of the constitutional government of the 

United States; 

Whereas civic education programs foster understanding of the 

history and principles of the constitutional government of 

the United States, including principles that are embodied 

in certain fundamental documents and speeches, such as 

the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the 

United States, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, 

the Gettysburg Address, and Dr. Martin Luther King, 

Jr.’s ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ speech; 


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Whereas research shows that too few people in the United 

States understand basic principles of the constitutional 

government of the United States, such as the natural 

rights set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the 

existence and functions of the 3 branches of the Federal 

Government, checks and balances, and other concepts 

fundamental to informed citizenship; 

Whereas since the founding of the United States, schools in 

the United States have had a strong civic mission to prepare students to be informed, rational, humane, and involved citizens who are committed to the values and principles of the constitutional government of the United 

States; 

Whereas a free society relies on the knowledge, skills, and virtue of the citizens of such society, particularly the individuals elected to public office to represent such citizens; 

Whereas while many institutions help to develop the knowledge and skills and shape the civic character of people in 

the United States, schools in the United States, including 

elementary schools, bear a special and historic responsibility for the development of civic competence and civic 

responsibility of students; 

Whereas student learning is enhanced by well-designed classroom civic education programs that— 

(1) incorporate instruction in government, history, 

law, and democracy; 

(2) promote discussion of current events and controversial issues; 

(3) link community service and the formal curriculum; and 

(4) encourage students to participate in simulations 

of democratic processes; and 


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Whereas research shows that the knowledge and expertise of 

teachers are among the most important factors in increasing student achievement: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that— 

2 (1) civic education is essential to the well-being 

3 of the constitutional government of the United 

4 States; 

5 (2) comprehensive and formal instruction in 

6 civics and government provides students with a basis 

7 for understanding the rights and responsibilities of 

8 citizens in the constitutional government of the 

9 United States; 

10 (3) elementary and secondary schools in the 

11 United States are encouraged to offer courses on 

12 history and theories of the constitutional government 

13 of the United States, using programs and curricula 

14 with a demonstrated effectiveness in fostering civic 

15 competence, civic responsibility, and a reasoned com16 mitment to the fundamental values and principles 

17 underlying the constitutional government of the 

18 United States; and 

19 (4) all teachers of civics and government are 

20 well served by having access to adequate opportuni21 ties to enrich teaching through professional develop22 ment programs that enhance the capacity of such 


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1 teachers to provide effective civic education in the 

2 classroom. 

Æ 


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