III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 150 

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 23, 2015 

Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. CARDIN) 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, 

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

speech; 


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•SRES 150 ATS 

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; 

(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 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 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 teachVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:13 Apr 23, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR150.ATS SR150

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1 ers to provide effective civic and government edu2 cation in the classroom. 

Æ 


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