III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 440 

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

and government education programs in schools in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 26, 2016 

Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. WHITEHOUSE) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate about the importance 

of effective civic and government education programs 

in schools in the United States. 

Whereas civic and government education is essential to the 

preservation and improvement of the constitutional government of the United States; 

Whereas civic and government 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, 


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•SRES 440 ATS 

and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ 

speech; 

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 the society, particularly the individuals elected to public office to represent the 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 and government education programs that— 

(1) incorporate instruction in government, history, 

law, and democracy; 

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


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•SRES 440 ATS 

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

(4) encourage students to participate in simulations 

of democratic processes; and 

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 and government education is essential 

3 to the well-being of the constitutional government of 

4 the United States; 

5 (2) comprehensive and formal instruction in 

6 civic and government education would provide stu7 dents a basis for understanding the rights and re8 sponsibilities of citizens in the constitutional govern9 ment of the United States; 

10 (3) elementary and secondary schools in the 

11 United States are encouraged to offer courses on the 

12 history and theories of the constitutional government 

13 of the United States, using— 

14 (A) innovative programs and curricula; or 

15 (B) programs and curricula with a dem16 onstrated effectiveness in fostering civic com17 petence, civic responsibility, and a reasoned 

18 commitment to the fundamental values and 

19 principles underlying the constitutional govern20 ment of the United States; and 


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•SRES 440 ATS 

1 (4) all teachers of civics and government are 

2 well served by having access to adequate opportuni3 ties to enrich teaching through professional develop4 ment programs that enhance the capacity of teach5 ers to provide effective civic and government edu6 cation in the classroom. 

Æ 


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